This lovely pale yellow double flowered old garden rose of unknown origin, is a Chinese cultivated variety of the small-flowered single white, possibly crossed with a yellow Tea Rose as the leaves have something of the tea rose texture, larger and softer than those of the wild Rosa banksiae. ‘Lutea’ was introduced to Europe by John Parks in 1824. It is one of the earliest to flower, its lovely pale yellow flowers opening at the same time as Wisteria, with which it makes a lovely combination. A large climber to 15m (50ft) or , a lovely plant for a conservatory in cold areas, early-flowering and almost thornless. In warm climates it is magnificent, a large, very free-flowering climber.. Flowers around 3cm (11/4in) across, scented faintly of violets. Easily grown, but not very hardy and shy to flowers in cool summer climates. Damaged by temperatures below -10°C for any length of time, surviving in zone 8.