| Ah, what a romantic devil 'Don Juan' is! Huge, fragrant red blooms dangle from vigorous canes, banked by glossy dark green foliage. Quickly reaching 10 to 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide, this is the climbing rose you want draped over the patio wall, twining up the arbor, or festooning a large trellis. No wonder it's considered the standard red climber, by which all others are judged (and found wanting!). If you saw these 3- to 4-inch blooms without the plant, you'd probably assume they were exhibition-quality hybrid teas. Packed with 30 to 35 petals and boasting a true red hue that won't fade, they are superb cutflowers. And the sight of a fully-blooming vine is astonishing -- no tiny, short-lived blossoms here! 'Don Juan' blooms in summer, achieving the best color in areas where the nights are warm. If you live (as I do) in a high-humidity climate, this is the climber you must have! But it's a fine northern performer too, hardy all the way through zone 4. Plant 'Don Juan' in full sun and well-drained soil. The offspring of New Dawn x 'New Yorker,' it is a dependable and vigorous performer no matter where you live. If planting more than one for solid coverage, space 8 feet apart. Zones 5-9. |
