New Dawn Vs. Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose

Background

• “Climbing Cecile Brunner” is a mutation, or sport, of the polyantha shrub rose, “Cecile Brunner,” bearing multiple clusters of small roses. French grower Joseph Pernet-Ducher introduced the original “Cecile Brunner” in 1881. A German nurseryman, Franz B. Hosp, brought it to California in 1888, where one of his bushes grew an unusually long stem full of flowers. Hosp introduced “Climbing Cecile Brunner” in 1894. The rose is named for the daughter of Swiss rosarian Ulrich Brunner and is nearly thornless. “New Dawn,” introduced in 1930, holds the first plant patent ever granted. It is a sport of “Dr. W. Van Fleet” (Rosa “Dr. W. Van Fleet”) and was introduced by H.A. Dreer.

Habit

• “Climbing Cecile Brunner” is a monster climber. It can scramble up tall trees, cover a garage or make a long rose arbor vanish. Choose this rose if you have ample space and a strong support, because it can topple wimpy arbors and pull off porches with its weight. It grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. “New Dawn” is a more well-behaved rose, although similarly vigorous, and usually reaches 15 feet. It fits better into smaller yards but also needs strong support. “New Dawn” grows in USDA zones 4 through 9a.

Flowers

• A huge flush of small, pink flowers that open from delicate, pointed buds in late spring characterizes “Climbing Cecile Brunner.” It doesn’t rebloom as generously as the shrub-rose version, but it does produce lightly scented flowers until frost. “New Dawn” has larger, double flowers of blush pink. It reblooms reliably after its main flush of fragrant flowers in late spring. It is considered to be one of the best repeating climbing roses and produces abundant red hips in fall, unlike “Climbing Cecile Brunner.”

Planting and Care

• For best flower production, plant these climbers in full sun in rich, well-drained soil. They both tolerate part shade, but blooming will be less lush and fungal diseases will be more of a problem. Water at the base of the plant weekly, giving them a deep soak. Neither climber is fussy about soil type and both are known for disease-resistance. Give them lots of space, for good air circulation. Removing spent flowers will encourage them to rebloom.