Spring graces us with a spectacular blooming Lady Banks Rose at our home on Upper Blackwater. It is like our own personal sun greeting us each day. We planted this rose over thirty years ago and moved it twice trying to find it's "happy place". I guess we found it because it is now over 60' x 30' and requires no care except pruning the top growth so it doesn't block the view to our barn. 

Lady Banks Rose (Rosa Banksiae) has been grown in the gardens of China for hundreds of years. The species was introduced to Europe by William Kerr, who had been sent on a plant-hunting expedition by Sir Joseph Banks. He bought the first white rose from the Fa Tee nursery in 1807 and subsequently named it Lady Banks. A number of other forms were discovered growing in China, including R. Banksiae 'Lutea', the yellow 'Lady Banks'

rose. 

A Rosa Banksiae planted in Tombstone, Arizona in 1885, is reputedly the world's largest Lady Bank's rose bush. It covers up to 9000 square feet of the roof on an inn and has a 12-foot circumference trunk. We are not anticipating achieving that size but are thrilled to have such a beautiful shrub on our property!