Plant of the week

BANKSIAN ROSES

Rosa banksiae is a vigorous, rambling, spring-flowering rose of outstanding garden value. The first blooms open in April and continue until late May. The easiest to grow, R. banksiae

Lutea, has clusters of small, double flowers in soft primrose yellow. Other Banksian roses include double white, R. banksiae var. banksiae, and a single-flowered white, R. banksiae var. normalis. Grow all Banksian roses on a warm, south-facing wall. They can be damaged by frost but the yellow Lutea is probably the hardiest of the three. Prune R. banksiae as hard as you like after flowering. The stems can be tied during late summer.