The Gorgeous Species Of Rose That's A Better Alternative To Bougainvillea

If you've ever gotten close to bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis) to admire its beauty, you may have noticed one of its biggest downsides: sharp thorns that can sometimes cause allergic reactions and tear clothing. That might be great if you're looking to keep prowlers away from the house. Seriously, you can use bougainvillea to keep unwanted visitors off your property; however, it's not a very family-friendly addition to the garden. And if you don't have a space where you can plant bougainvillea more than 4 feet from walkways and high-traffic areas, it may not be a great option for your garden. However, if you love the look of this prolific climber, we have an alternative for you: Lady Banks roses (Rosa banksiae).

Not only is this particular rose species thornless, but it grows very quickly and can reach more than 40 feet tall. It boasts profuse white or yellow blooms that last up to six weeks. Moreover, Lady Banks has a reputation for being lower maintenance than most roses. So if you're looking for a beautiful climber to cover a trellis, fence, pergola, or other structure but don't want to deal with the scrapes and tears that come with bougainvillea, you may want to consider this rose.

Like most roses, Lady Banks prefers full sun but can also handle partial shade. Provide moist but well-drained loam soil and a structure for the rose to climb. Otherwise, it should not need much maintenance. If you happen to see any dead wood, feel free to prune it, but otherwise, you can leave this rose to grow on its own. In USDA zones 8 through 10, it's also evergreen, so you can expect greenery year-round. However, this rose can be grown down to zone 6. Bougainvillea, on the other hand, is hardy only in zones 9 through 11, so Lady Banks may be your only choice if you live in cooler climates.

If you're looking forward to years of copious blooms and visits from the bees drawn to this rose's violet-like scent, start thinking about how and where to grow it. Cover an old fence, or grow them over a garden gate. Either way, they will add lots of charm to your garden. Explore more tips for how to grow climbing roses and get advice from our professional gardener that will make your roses happier and healthier.