A Competition Between The Rosa Banksaie 'Lutea' And Wisteria Floribunda

On The Left Wall, Rosa banksiae 'Lutea'

On The Right Wall, Rosa banksiae 'Lutea'

Two of the spring flowering plants in the college gardens seem to be trying to upstage each other. The two in question are the Lady Banks' Rose, Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' and the Japanese Wisteria, Wisteria floribunda. On two of the walls of the Provost's lodgings the roses are covered in clusters of small, double primrose yellow flowers, producing the best floral display ever seen on these plants.   

Covered In Clusters Of Small, Double Primrose Yellow Flowers

Side by Side, Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' and Wisteria

Wisteria Floribunda (Top Terrace)

However, the many wisteria are also putting on a very impressive display and, as they are greater in number, seem to be tipping the balance in their favour. As can be seen by the series of photographs, the more flamboyant wisteria may well be the winner. This year, as with previous years, the displays have been covered on the blog, here are the links to show how they just keep on giving:

27th April 2011 'Wonderful Wisteria'
29th May 2012 'Wisteria 2012'
29th May 2013 'Wondrous Wisteria'
16th May 2014 'Worcester's Wisteria'
26th May 2015 'Marvellous, Magnificent, Majestic Wisteria'
31st May 2016 'Wisteria Hysteria'
19th May 2017 'Wisteria Old And New'

• Note how early the wisteria flowered in 2011, a month earlier than most years, this was due to an exceptionally warm and dry spring, (March, April and May), quoting The Met Office:

 "It was the warmest Spring across the UK in the last 100 years, just warmer than Spring 2007, and the second driest Spring across England and Wales, with 1990 marginally drier. April was an exceptionally warm, dry and sunny month - the warmest and third sunniest April on record for the UK."

Provost's Front Door

Like A Waterfall

Trailing Over The Railings

Far End of The Quad

Over The Arch