Hybrid

New Dawn

Rosa 'New Dawn'

A small plant with yellow and green leaves

Often called the world's most popular climbing rose, this vigorous climber produces soft pink blooms continuously from spring until frost with remarkable reliability. The first plant ever to receive a patent in the United States, it combines old-fashioned charm with modern repeat-blooming performance. Its disease resistance and cold hardiness make it perfect for covering arbors, fences, and walls in almost any climate.

Harvest

70-80d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

5–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

10-15 feet

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Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Showing dates for New Dawn in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 rose →

Zone Map

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New Dawn · Zones 5–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing6-8 feet

SoilAdaptable to most well-draining soils

pH6.0-7.5

Water1 inch per week, very drought tolerant once established

SeasonSpring through fall

FlavorSweet, apple-like fragrance

ColorSoft pearl pink fading to nearly white

Size3 inches across

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	—
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	—
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	—
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	—
Zone 9	—	March – May	—	—

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Large numbers of rose hips produced in fall

Color: Red/Burgundy. Type: Drupe. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Storage & Preservation

New Dawn roses are ornamental flowers best enjoyed fresh in cut arrangements. Store cut stems in a cool location (50-65°F) away from direct sunlight, in a vase with fresh water changed every 2-3 days. Cut flowers typically last 7-14 days. For preservation: air-dry stems in bundles hung upside-down in a dark, well-ventilated space for 1-2 weeks to create dried flowers lasting months; press individual blooms between parchment paper under heavy books for 2-3 weeks for botanical keepsakes; or freeze small buds in ice cubes with water for decorative purposes.

History & Origin

Rosa 'New Dawn' is a light pink modern climbing rose cultivar, discovered by Somerset Rose Nursery in New Jersey in 1930. The cultivar is a sport of Rosa 'Dr. W. Van Fleet'. 'New Dawn' was the first plant to be patented. It was patented by H.F. Bosenberg in 1931. 'New Dawn' was voted the most popular rose in the world at the 11th World Convention of Rose Societies in 1997. It is also recognized worldwide as one of the best of the repeating climbing roses. 'New Dawn' is an Earth-Kind rose.

Advantages

+Attracts: Bees

Companion Plants

Lavender, catmint, and ornamental alliums are the most useful neighbors here. Lavender and catmint both interfere with aphid host-finding through volatile scent compounds, and their low mounding habit keeps air moving around New Dawn's base — a real benefit for a climber that can get dense enough to trap humidity. Alliums reinforce that same deterrent effect and their narrow upright form fits cleanly between canes without shading them out. Marigolds add a layer of nematode suppression at the soil level. Black walnut is the one plant to keep off the property entirely if you're serious about this rose — juglone leaches roughly 50–80 feet from the trunk and is toxic enough to kill established woody plants, not just stress them.

Plant Together

Lavender

Repels aphids, spider mites, and other rose pests while attracting beneficial pollinators

Marigold

Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while adding bright color contrast

Catmint

Repels ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting beneficial insects

Allium

Natural fungicide properties help prevent black spot and powdery mildew

Clematis

Shares similar growing conditions and creates beautiful vertical layering

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on aphids

Geranium

Repels Japanese beetles and other rose pests with strong scent

Thyme

Natural antifungal properties help prevent rose diseases

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits rose growth and can cause wilting

Large Trees

Compete for nutrients and water while creating excessive shade for sun-loving roses

Impatiens

Susceptible to same fungal diseases and creates humid conditions promoting black spot

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Excellent disease resistance and cold hardiness

Common Pests

Generally pest resistant, occasional aphids

Diseases

Highly resistant to all common rose diseases

Troubleshooting New Dawn

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Dark spots with irregular, 'feathered' edges on leaves, followed by yellowing and heavy leaf drop mid-season

Likely Causes

Black spot (Diplocarpon rosae) — a fungal disease that spreads via water splash and thrives when leaves stay wet overnight
Overhead evening watering that extends leaf wetness into the next morning

What to Do

1.Strip and bag (don't compost) all fallen infected leaves; prune out any cane infections in late winter
2.Switch to drip or base watering so foliage stays dry — if overhead irrigation is unavoidable, water in the morning
3.Mulch around the base in late winter to cut down on soil splash, and open up the canopy with a hard prune to improve airflow

New canes staying red and elongated well past the juvenile stage, or a sudden increase in thorniness on established canes

Likely Causes

Rose rosette disease (Rose rosette virus), transmitted by the microscopic eriophyid mite Phyllocoptes fructiphylus
Witches'-broom proliferation — also an RRD symptom, though low-dose glyphosate drift can produce a nearly identical look

What to Do

1.Check for the full cluster: abnormal red retention, hyper-thorniness, and shoot proliferation together point strongly to RRD; a bright yellow oak-leaf mosaic without deformation is the separate, less serious rose mosaic virus and is not cause for removal
2.RRD has no cure — dig out and destroy the entire plant promptly, roots included, to limit mite spread to adjacent roses
3.If you're unsure, NC State's Plant Disease and Insect Clinic (PDIC) can confirm from a submitted sample before you pull a plant

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a New Dawn rose plant live?▼

New Dawn roses are extremely long-lived perennial climbers that can thrive for 20+ years with proper care. Their vigor and disease resistance contribute to exceptional longevity. Many established plants continue producing abundant blooms for decades, making them excellent investments for permanent garden features like arbors and fences.

Is New Dawn rose good for beginners?▼

Yes, New Dawn is excellent for beginners. Its exceptional disease resistance, cold hardiness, and easy-growing nature make it one of the most forgiving climbing roses. It requires minimal maintenance, handles various soil types, and produces continuous blooms reliably. It's perfect for gardeners learning to grow climbing roses.

Can you grow New Dawn roses in containers?▼

New Dawn can be grown in large containers (20+ gallons) but isn't ideal due to its vigorous climbing habit and preference for in-ground planting. Container cultivation requires frequent watering, regular fertilizing, and space for vertical support structures. For best results, plant directly in garden beds where it can ramble naturally across structures.

When should I plant New Dawn roses?▼

Plant New Dawn roses in early spring or fall when temperatures are mild. Spring planting allows establishment before summer heat, while fall planting lets roots develop through cool months. Avoid planting during extreme heat or frost. Bare-root plants are best planted in early spring; container-grown plants can be planted throughout the growing season with adequate watering.

What does New Dawn rose fragrance smell like?▼

New Dawn roses have a sweet, apple-like fragrance that's distinctive among climbing roses. The scent is moderately strong and pleasant, becoming more pronounced during warm days. The fragrance is one of its appealing characteristics, combining with its continuous pink blooms to make it a sensory delight in garden settings.

How do I control aphids on New Dawn roses?▼

New Dawn's natural pest resistance means aphids are rarely problematic. If they appear, spray with a strong water stream to dislodge them, use insecticidal soap, or apply neem oil in early morning or evening. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs by planting diverse flowers nearby. Regular inspection and prompt treatment prevent infestations from establishing on this hardy variety.