Rosa filipes

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Rosa filipes is a rose native to western China. It is a deciduous climbing shrub that usually grows about 3–5 meters tall, sometimes reaching up to 9 meters. Its leaves have 5–7 leaflets. The flowers are white, about 2–2.5 cm across, with five petals, and they appear in large clusters up to 15–30 cm across that can contain up to 100 flowers. The fruit is a red hip about 8–15 mm in diameter. The plant is very vigorous, with stiff, thorny stems that help it cling to and climb up tree branches.

In gardens, Rosa filipes is valued for its unusually large flower clusters, its size, and its ability to climb into trees. The cultivar 'Kiftsgate' has won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. It was first noticed at Kiftsgate Court Gardens in the Cotswolds; its exact origin is unknown. The original plant dates from 1938, and the cultivar was named in 1951 by Graham Stuart Thomas. 'Kiftsgate' is especially vigorous, with scented flower clusters up to about 45 cm across and it tolerates shade, aiding its tree-climbing habit. The original ‘Kiftsgate’ plant is said to be one of the largest roses in Britain, growing very large and reportedly smothering several trees.