Well, I'd never say it's not a worthwhile rose. Not in my coastal Southern CA conditions, any road. But I DO think that it only Shows It's Stuff where you can allow it to grow big enough to make a dramatic statement.
Our R. banksia lutea was a gift of a ragged stump, from an elderly lady, 35 or so years ago -- she having received it in her youth from an elderly lady. We planted it next to an 8-ft. fence behind our house, thinking it would climb along the fence.
Instead, it leaped over the fence, grabbed a tree, and started to rocket skyward. And it's continued to do so, ever since.
It is companioned by its white sister, R. banksia banksia ... and you now get a good view of them from the FRONT of the house.
So, this is really really not a rose for a small area.
