Rosa x wichuraiana 'New Dawn'

The climbing rose 'New Dawn' is a relatively modern variety with the charm and vigour of ancient rambling roses and blooms regularly until late autumn. It produces delightful crumpled roses, of medium size, displaying a delicate pink and pearly colour, very pale at the edges, slightly deeper at the heart of the flower. This rose in full bloom emits a light fruity fragrance, adding to the romance of its flowering. 

This 'New Dawn' rose is a climbing mutation of the variety 'Dr. Van Fleet' was obtained in 1930 by Somerset Rose in England. It carries the genes of the Wichura Rose (synonym Rosa luciae), a vigorous botanical species native to East Asia. Like the ancient roses 'Alberic Barbier' or Albertine, it produces arching branches with thorns that can exceed 5m (16ft) in height. This variety, the origin of many modern climbing roses, was distinguished in 1993 with an A.G.M awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society in England and by the World Federation of Rose Societies in 1997. Its small foliage is a bright medium green with a satin finish. It can be slightly susceptible to marsonia and powdery mildew, depending on the growing conditions. New Dawn blooms abundantly in early summer and then reblooms to varying degrees in summer if it doesn't lack water. The autumn rebloom is regular, abundant, and prolonged. Its flowers are double cups, 8cm (3in) in diameter, slightly crumpled, although modern roses' curved and turbinate forms can already be seen. Clustered in small bouquets, they are composed of 20 to 39 petals of a very tender and fresh silver pink, slightly deeper towards the centre of the flower, becoming almost white at maturity. This excellent rose is the origin of superb varieties such as Aloha, Bantry Bay, Penny Lane, and Pink Cloud, to name just a few. 

The climbing rose 'New Dawn' often wins over professional or amateur gardeners. This climber, which is undemanding, beautifully adorns trellises, pergolas, or large bushes. It adapts to many situations, even accepting to bloom in shaded areas of the garden. It tolerates all soil types but prefers well-prepared, deep soil and well-ventilated exposure. Like Albertine, Felicia, American Pillar, or May Queen, bringing lushness and colour to the garden's difficult or slightly shaded areas is exciting. Sturdy, undemanding, and frugal, it will thrive in all areas with some care at planting. Like other large climbers, it can easily hide an unsightly structure or climb a solid wall or small tree. 

Obtained by Somerset Rose in 1930.