Georgia Gardener Newsletter Design Tip

Cool Plant: February 18, 2010

New Dawn Rose

Rosa 'New Dawn'

Species Native Range: Hybrid of Garden Origin

Hardiness: USDA Zones 5-9

Mature Size: 10-15 feet tall & 8 feet wide

Exposure: Full sun

Soil: Rich and well-drained

Drought Tolerance: Excellent

Ease of Culture: Easy

Class: Climber

New Dawn rose is a vigorous climbing rose that produces 4-inch, lightly-fragrant, pink double blooms in late spring to early summer on the previous year's growth*. When in full bloom, the entire plant is blanketed in flowers. There is only a single flush of flowers each year.

Plant New Dawn rose in full sun on an arbor, fence or other suitable structure. The soil should be rich, well-amended and and well-drained. Although disease resistant, keep an eye out for the usual rose problems of black spot and powdery mildew. These can be managed by avoiding wetting the leaves when watering and being planted in full sun with good air circulation. Japanese beetles may be a temporary problem in June and July. As with all roses, deer may browse the foliage and flowers. Fertilize roses with a balanced fertilizer starting in the early spring and every 6-8 weeks thereafter until the late summer.

Most gardeners that grow this rose often plant a companion vine intertwined that blooms later in the season. The number one choice in this situation is to choose a later blooming clematis. (Note: Avoid using Sweet Autumn Clematis because of its invasive behavior.) The clematis pictured below with the unknown climbing rose appears to be Jackmanii.

*Pruning*

Climbing and rambling roses, unlike shrub roses, bloom on the previous year's growth. Shrub roses bloom on the new growth that emerges that spring. Therefore, single-blooming climbers and ramblers such as New Dawn need to be pruned differently and right after they finish blooming in summer. Newly planted climbers/ramblers should not be pruned for the first few years to allow them enough time to grow mature canes. This article has good information.

Sources:

Bareroot roses of many different varieties should be arriving soon at local retail nurseries. This is a good time of year to plant them. In Metro Atlanta, the good folks at Autumn Hill Nursery should be able to help you.

For mail order, check out these sources:

Jackson & Perkins
Antique Rose Emporium
Wayside Gardens

If you have comments or questions about this article or want to submit a suggestion for a future article, please email me.