Q: I have a beautiful and strong growing Yellow Bank Rose but about half of it has White Roses on it. Last year there were a few, this year it is almost half white. What is going on with my Yellow Bank Rose?

A: The original Banksian rose was white. Rosa banksia var. banksia was first introduced to Europe at Kew Gardens in 1807. The name honors Lady Dorothea Banks, wife of Sir Joseph Banks, who was director of Kew at that time.

A yellow-flowered form, Rosa banksia ‘Lutea’ was introduced from China via the Calcutta Botanic Gardens circa 1824.

My guess is that your yellow form sported back to the original white form, which is vigorously overtaking the yellow parts of the rose.