Climbing Rose in October: monthly care

Plant 'New Dawn' climbing rose between October and November or in March, when the soil is workable and not frozen or waterlogged. Bare-root roses planted in autumn establish better, but container-grown plants can go in during spring. Choose a position in full sun or partial shade—this variety tolerates some shade better than most climbers, though flowering will be heaviest in good light. The site must have support: a wall, fence, trellis, pergola, or sturdy arch capable of carrying a plant that will reach 3 to 5 metres in height and spread 2 to 3 metres. Prepare the soil thoroughly. 'New Dawn' thrives in loam or clay soil with good structure. Dig a hole at least 45 cm wide and deep, and work in plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost. If planting against a wall or fence, position the hole at least 45 cm away from the base to avoid the dry rain shadow and allow roots to spread. The graft union (the knobbly swelling at the base of the stems) should sit just below soil level—about 2 to 3 cm down. Space plants 200 cm apart if planting more than one. After planting, firm the soil gently with your heel, water thoroughly, and apply a 5 cm layer of mulch around the base, keeping it clear of the stems. If planting bare-root roses, prune the stems back to about 15 cm to encourage strong new growth. Tie in the main stems loosely to your support using soft twine or rose ties, fanning them out horizontally to encourage flowering shoots along their length.

Water 'New Dawn' regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system. Once established, it has moderate water needs but benefits from deep watering during prolonged dry spells in spring and summer—give it a thorough soak every seven to ten days rather than frequent shallow watering. Reduce watering in autumn and winter. Mulch annually in early spring with well-rotted manure, garden compost, or bark chips to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and feed the soil. Feed in March or early April with a balanced rose fertiliser or general-purpose granular feed, scattering it around the base and watering in. Apply a second feed in June, after the first flush of flowers, using a high-potash fertiliser (such as tomato feed) to encourage repeat flowering through summer and autumn. Avoid feeding after late July, as soft new growth is vulnerable to frost. 'New Dawn' is hardy in zones 5a to 9b and needs no special winter protection in temperate Europe. Check ties and supports in autumn and after gales to prevent wind damage. This rose is generally healthy but watch for blackspot, particularly in humid summers—remove and bin affected leaves promptly and avoid overhead watering. Aphids often cluster on soft new growth in late spring; squash by hand or spray with water. Powdery mildew can appear in dry conditions; improve air circulation by thinning congested growth. Deadhead spent blooms regularly through summer to encourage further flowering, snipping back to the first strong leaf. In autumn, leave hips on if you wish—they provide winter interest and food for birds.