TOMBSTONE'S ROSE

Tombstone, Arizona is home to the World’s Largest Rose according to the Guiness Book of World Records.  It is lovingly called by residents of Tombstone as the Shady Lady because she covers an entire enclosed courtyard in one of the tiny streets of Tombstone, Arizona.  She is a white “Lady Banks’ Rose" or R. banksiae banksiae.

She came into being in the Arizona desert in 1885 when she was brought in as a gift to a new and homesick bride from Scotland and planted and taken care of for her by her friends.  The Shady Lady grew up in a trellis about 8-foot high that provides shade to the big courtyard.  She has a romantic history and so under her canopy, many couples have exchanged their vows of love and devotion to each other.

Some people have never heard of her but the whole town of Tombstone has a big Rose Celebration in the month of April when she is in her glory.  Her impressive, gorgeous blooms are a sight to behold and her perfume is intoxicating.   If you are in Arizona, be sure to visit her.

Roses are easy plants to grow contrary to popular belief. Why do you think Roses have been around for millions of years?  All they need are food, water and sunlight.  Just like you and me. 

Here at Rose Gardening World, we’ll educate you about the Rose - our National Floral Emblem and the state flower of several states.  Welcome to the World of Rose Gardening or Rose Gardening World where Rose Gardening Tips, Rose Growing Advice, Planting a Rose Garden, Rose Descriptions, Where to Buy Roses, Where to see Rose Gardens, Rose Culture, Rose History, Rose Events, Rose Verses are all here in one place. So, plant a rose today! 

We are constantly updating our contents so visit Rose Gardening World often.  We want to help you grow Beautiful Roses and we welcome comments.  Take time and smell the roses.  Happy Rose Gardening!

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• PRUNING YOUR ROSES
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Rosa banksiae

 

Welcome to the World of Rose Gardening or Rose Gardening World.  Here at Rose Gardening World, you’ll find rose articles that will educate you about Roses – Rose History, Rose Culture, Rose Growing, Rose Profiles, Rose Gardening Tips, Rose Gardens and even Rose Verses all in one place.  So visit Rose Gardening World often. 

Take time and smell the roses.  Roses have been around for millions of years which just prove that roses are not difficult to grow. The Rose is also our National Floral Emblem and the state flower of several states.

Syns. R. banksiana, Banksian rose, Banks’ Rose, Lady Banks’ Rose Species.

Cultivated since 1796

Rosa banksiae is one of the best shrubs for a wall and in a few years will reach the top of most houses.  It produces an abundance of pretty small roses with the sweetest fragrance you can imagine.  The flowers are borne on last year’s wood and so it is well-advised not to prune in the spring.  Only dead or useless branches have to be trimmed.  The date of introduction is not known but the double white form was first described in the Botanical Magazine for 1818 as Lady Banks’ Rose and one of the sweetest of roses.  It has also been known as a native of China and had been introduced in 1807 by William Kerr.  The double yellow was introduced in 1824.

Definitely not for the small property, this vigorous species rose offers a spectacular spring show in warm-climate gardens that can accommodate its rampant growth habit.  There are four different forms of R. banksiae, varying by flower color and flower form.  R. banksiae normalis is considered to be the “wild” form, with single white flowers.  R. banksiae banksiae (also known as ‘Banksiae Alba’, R. banksiae alba, R.banksiae alba-plena, White Banksia, or White Lady Banks’ Rose) offers exceptionally fragrant, double white flowers.  R. banksiae lutea (R. banksiae lutea-plena, Yellow Lady Banks’ Rose) is the most well-known form of Rosa banksiae in cultivation with small, fully double, bright yellow flowers that come in clusters.  They are only slightly fragrant.  R. Banksiae lutescens has single light yellow blooms.  All four have small, oval buds that open to clustered, 1-inch wide, rosette-form flowers, usually blooming in early or midspring to late spring.  Slender, thornless canes carry semi-evergreen to evergreen, shiny, dark green leaves with narrow leaflets.  They are rarely bothered by diseases. 

All four forms of this specie rose have a vigorous, rambling habit and can grow up to 30 ft, so they’re usually used as 20 to 30-foot climbers.  They need a sturdy support, such as a well-built pergola or arbor; they also like to scramble into trees.  It is a great rose for zone 8 to 10.

I saw Rosa banksiae in Charleston, SC on my first visit there in 1989.  We went on a House and Garden Tour and at one of the gardens we visited, ‘Yellow Lady Banks’ was growing almost to the roof of the house against the wall.  We wandered along some tiny street and I saw 'Yellow Lady Banks' rose by the gate and I took the above photo.

 

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SPECIES ROSES

Welcome to the World of Rose Gardening or Rose Gardening World.  Take time and smell the roses.  Roses have been around for millions of years which just prove that roses are not difficult to grow. The Rose is also our National Floral Emblem and the state flower of several states.  Here at Rose Gardening World, you’ll find rose articles that will educate you about roses – its history, rose culture, rose profiles and even rose verses all in one place.  So visit Rose Gardening World often. 

Species Roses are often referred to as “wild roses”.  Species roses are usually single-petaled (4-8 petals), once-blooming and have a bush size ranging from 2 to 20 feet.  The Heritage Rose Foundation is very active on preserving these old roses.  Species Roses are listed according to their Latin name, beginning with R. for Rosa and can have common synonyms.  For example, R. banksiae is also known as ‘Lady Banks’ Rose’.  Here are some of the known ones and top rated species roses:

R. banksiae banksiae, white, introduced in 1807

R. rugosa alba, white, introduced in 1784

R. banksiae lutea, light yellow, introduced in 1824

R. rugosa, mauve, introduced before 1846

R. gallica. deep pink, introduced before 1500

R. gallica versicolor (Rosa Mundi), pink blend, introduced before 1581

R. setigera, deep pink, introduced in 1810

R. rubrifolia, medium pink, introduced in 1789

R. gallica officinalis (Apothecary’s Rose), deep pink, introduced before 1600

R. spinosissima, white, introduced before 1600

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ROSE HIPS

Welcome to the World of Rose Gardening or Rose Gardening World.  Take time and smell the roses.  Roses have been around for millions of years which just prove that roses are not difficult to grow. The Rose is also our National Floral Emblem and the state flower of several states.  Here at Rose Gardening World, you’ll find rose articles that will educate you about roses – its history, rose culture, rose profiles and even rose verses all in one place.  So visit Rose Gardening World often.  

When autumn comes, there is anticipation amongst rosarians to see a different beauty in their rose garden.  The roses are sporting their fruit in several autumn shades.  They come in various shapes: round, oblong or bottled-shaped.  They can range in size from tiny to an inch wide and look like fat red tomato.

Rose hips are the fruit of the rose plant and have been a source of food for human and wildlife.  Rose hips are very high in vitamin C.  Hips from R. rugosa and R. canina taste good in teas, jams and jellies.  Rose hips can be harvested when they are full and ripe and can be used in recipes.  Avoid using rose hips that have been sprayed with chemicals. 

During World War II, rose hips were gathered mostly from R. canina and used as a supplemental diet in lieu of orange juice because it was very high in vitamin C content.  R. Rugosa which was introduced around 1796 is planted extensively for their autumn display of their hips. Rugosas produce large attractive, tomatolike rose hips that are commonly used in the production of vitamin C.  Rugosas is a healthy, disease resistant plant and easy to grow.  R. moyesii has one of the prettiest hips, flagon-shaped measuring 1-1/2” to 2” long with an orange-red color.  Hybrid Musk, ‘Penelope’ has mostly pale green hips and some turn to coral pink.  They are round, cherry red and come in clusters.  There is a large selection of roses which bear beautiful hips.  All you have to do is select the size of the bush you want, the size and shape of the hips and the color of the display.  

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