Rosa banksiae Rosea - Rambling Rose

The Banksiae Rosea, also known as Rosa Banksiae Rosea, is a vigorous, rambling rose with long, flexible stems and almost no thorns, often retaining its foliage in winter. It blooms very early, in April-May, and abundantly, in clusters of small double flowers ranging from bright to pale pink, very colourful. Its only weakness is its lack of hardiness in cold climates. However, it can be grown in cooler climates if sheltered by a wall in a sunny position. It will withstand dry summers without flinching in warmer conditions and can reach impressive dimensions, even in limestone soil.

Due to its obscure origins, the Rosier de Banks Rosea has sparked many controversies among rose enthusiasts, collectors, botanists, and probably hybrids. Rosa banksia is a botanical species native to dry, mountainous subtropical regions in central and western China, where it grows at altitudes between 500 and 2200 meters (1640 and 7218 feet). This vigorous climbing rose, therefore, thrives in hot climates, even dry ones in summer. Its species name, banksiae, is dedicated to Lady Banks, the wife of the famous botanist Sir Joseph Banks, who brought it back from his expeditions in China, along with new chrysanthemums and many other plants still unknown in Europe. There are only two subspecies of this rose and very few hybrids, as the plant is quite resistant to cross-breeding. Our 'Rosea' rose probably belongs among these rarities.

It is slightly smaller than the 'Lutea' Banks rose, with its long stems rarely exceeding 10m (33ft) in height. Its spread on the ground reaches about 3m (10ft). The new shoots have a few prickles on the rachis, the extension of the petiole on which the rose leaflets attach. The leaves, divided into three to five, rarely seven leaflets with finely toothed edges, are glossy and medium green. They measure 4 to 6cm (2in) long and often turn red in autumn. The foliage can be susceptible to rose diseases, varying in intensity depending on the growing conditions and humidity. Aphids, on the other hand, ignore it.

Flowering occurs from April to May, lasting 3 to 5 weeks, depending on the climate, on the current year's stems and shoots. The 3cm (1in) wide double flowers are densely clustered. Their colour is a mix of shades of pink, from candy pink to pale pink, veined with white pink, and their very light fragrance somewhat resembles that of violets. When fully open, they reveal a heart of yellow stamens. Flowering lasts 3 to 5 weeks, depending on weather conditions. The formation of small red fruits follows it. This rose, which grows on its roots, tolerates the presence of limestone in the soil and is perfectly drought-tolerant once well-established. As it ages, its trunk takes on a fibrous appearance, with caramel to reddish-brown shades and peels off. Its lifespan is remarkable: many specimens exceed 100 years in old gardens.

A well-established Rosier de Banks Rosea is hardy down to -10/-12 °C (14/10.4°F) in healthy, well-drained soil, which still allows it to be grown in many regions. Like 'Lutea' and 'Alba Plena', it likes to surprise, invade trees, and creep between cypress hedges, demonstrating its formidable conquering vigour. Its luxuriant growth metamorphoses and elegantly dresses a fence or a large wall from January to December in sheltered locations or mild climates. In the south, it will provide perfect shade on a large south-facing arbour. Low-maintenance, the plant requires no watering once well established. Although it is remarkably frugal and modest, it should be sheltered by a wall outside the olive tree zone and receive maximum sunlight to induce its fabulous flowering. We know of a 120-year-old specimen still faithfully blooms (sometimes as early as February) in a neglected garden near Montpellier. The Banks can be paired with a summer-flowering clematis with a flowering wall all summer. Its base can also be adorned with bulbs, ground-cover roses like The Fairy, perennials, or small shrubs with variegated grey foliage to enhance periods without roses.