Santa Fe Botanical Garden

Common name: 'New Dawn' rose

Family: Rosaceae (Rose)

Distribution: Cultivated

Hardiness: USDA Zone 5 (-20 to -10 °F)

Life form: Shrub/sub-shrub

Occurrence in New Mexico: Cultivar

Growing Conditions: Soils should be enriched with plenty of organic matter before planting roses. Roses tolerate slightly alkaline to slightly acidic soil, but prefer pH 6-6.5. At least 5 hours of full sun each day ensures plentiful blooms. Roses grown in containers can be planted at any time, while dormant bare-root roses are planted in winter or early spring. Roses are deep-rooted, and need to be watered deeply, weekly or more often in extremely hot weather, and occasionally when dormant. Blooming often ceases when temperatures go above 90 degrees, so planting where they are protected from intense afternoon sun is helpful in New Mexico. Mulching (4 inches deep) will help conserve moisture and keep the roots cool. Fertilize twice yearly, in spring and summer, for best performance. Deadheading spent blooms encourages new leaves and flowers. ‘New Dawn’ grows 8-12 feet tall, and is usually grown on a trellis, pergola, or fence. Avoid pruning for the first two years after planting to allow the canes of this climber to develop. Prune established plants in winter by removing all unproductive or diseased wood, and the rose may be shaped or trained to its support.

Description: The 'New Dawn' rose is a climbing, deciduous, rose with blush pink, double flowers that are up to 3 inches in diameter. The leaves are a shiny, dark green. Stems are thorny. This rose is considered one of the most reliable of climbers to repeat bloom. The flowers give rise to showy red hips in autumn. It can also be grown as a shrub rose.