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Lawrence Johnston

Rosa (RO-zuh)

Family: Rosaceae Unknown Vine (vertical)

Lawrence Johnston is a hybrid climbing rose in the rose family (Rosaceae). It was bred by Joseph Pernet-Ducher in France in 1903 and introduced in the United Kingdom by Sunnydale Nurseries Ltd in 1948. This strong climber will grow 20-30 feet tall and 10-20 feet wide. Plant in well-drained loamy garden soil with regular watering in full sun for best results. Mulch to retain moisture and fertilize in spring and summer. Prune as needed in the fall and remove dead, diseased and crossed canes. Winter protection is needed in cold winter climates. Do not prune the canes for the first two years after planting to allow the canes to develop. The fragrant semi-double yellow flowers bloom profusely in spring. Deadheading may encourage a repeat bloom. The foliage is dense with glossy leaves and has prickles. Grow on trellises, fences, arbors or any vertical site. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Roses are susceptible to black spot, powdery mildew, rust and rose rosette. Insect pests are aphids, beetles, borers, scale, thrips, rose midges, leafhoppers and spider mites. More information on Rosa .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 45 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 6 - Vine (vertical) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

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 niche Rosa America™ 'JACclam' Rosa Fourth of July™ 'WEKroalt' Rosa 'Rene Andre'
Native alternatives Ampelaster carolinianus Campsis radicans Gelsemium sempervirens Lonicera sempervirens

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Rose
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Climbing
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Glossy compound green leaves with serrated margins
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
3-6 inches
Flower detail
5-inch wide medium yellow, semi-double flowers in clusters in an April-May profuse bloom and may occasionally rebloom. 9-16 petals
Bloom time
Spring
Stem detail
Green stem with prickles
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Attracts
Bees
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Vertical Spaces
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; Cutting Garden; English Garden
Design feature
Screen/Privacy; Specimen
Garden tags
#vertical spaces #yellow flowers #vigorous #full sun #spring flowers #climbing rose #trellis #high maintenance #wall #arbor #fragrant flowers
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Pests of Rose
Problems
Spines/Thorns

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.