'Fortuniena' is a hybrid climbing rose in the rose family (Rosaceae) and was discovered by Robert Fortune in 1840 in China. Parentage is Rosa laevigata x Rosa banksiae . This vigorous rose will grow 12-30 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide. It needs full sun but will grow in any well-drained soil including sandy ones. It can be pruned to an 8-foot shub if desired. It is heat and humidity tolerant making it a good rose for the south. The 2-3 inch fully double white blend flowers with 26-40 petals and a strong sweet fragrance appear singly in summer. In some climates, it may repeat bloom. Glossy leaves appear on nearly prickle-free stems. Use this rose on any vertical surface or prune to use as a hedge and for screening. It is often used today as a rootstock due to its heat and disease resistance, resistance to nematodes, vigorous growth and poor soil tolerance. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Very disease-resistant. See pests of roses to the left. Deer will browse roses. More information on Rosa .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheBuddleja davidii 'Harlequin'CannaLantana camara 'Miss Huff'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Rose
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in. | Width: 9 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Climbing
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Glossy green foliage is attractive.
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Pink; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
2-3 inch double cream-white flowers that may tinge pink appear in late spring or early summer. 26-40 petals