The group is distinctive in that it contains only four Species roses, originally named after the wife of Sir Joseph Banks, Curator for The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew around 1807. Although their origin is from China, they were introduced to the West from 1807 to 1870. As a piece of rose trivia, the largest rose in the world is a 'Yellow Lady Banksia' which covers some 8000 sq. This grouping is composed of only one Species rose and some of its hybrid offspring. So named for its smooth foliage, R. laevigata or 'Cherokee Rose' was originally discovered off the east coast of China in 1759, but later introduced to North America and allowed to naturalize.
Blooms are white, large and borne singly on stems with very large, hooked prickles.
If left to its own desires, this rose will easily grow to 20 ft. Near the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, hybrids of this rose were created to add color to the bloom. This group is a group of one, R. bracteata or 'The Macartney Rose', introduced from China in 1793. It is a huge rose, growing easily 30 ft. The species was allowed to naturalize in North America during the mid-18th century, and has been considered a native rose since that time.