Climber (Large-Flowered Climber)Longley, 1949White and cream

White Dawn

Longley 1949; cream-white climber with a gardenia fragrance; abundant repeat flowering and excellent disease resistance.

Classic of 1949; the white sister of New Dawn

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat, abundant throughout the season

Awards

Classic

A long-lived variety recognised worldwide

Winter hardiness

−26 °C

USDA zone 5–9. Reliably hardy across Ukraine.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

250 × 100 cm

Habit: Vigorous climber with long, flexible canes
Dimensions: About 250 cm tall × about 100 cm wide
Support: Yes — it needs support: arch, pergola, trellis, fence, wall. Horizontal tying gives abundant flowering.
Shoots: Long, flexible — easy to train on a support
Branching: Good; quickly builds up bulk

Flower

7–9 cm

Bud shape: Round, cream-white
Open flower: Double, cupped; 7–9 cm across; when fully open, a golden centre with stamens is visible
Centre: Moderately full, with golden stamens
Fullness: Double, 20–25 petals
Flower carriage: In clusters of several flowers — abundant along the full length of the canes

Fragrance

Moderate

Medium, sweet — reminiscent of gardenia.

Disease resistance

5 out of 5

Black spotresistant

High, especially against black spot — one reason for its long-lasting popularity.

Sun

Sun or partial shade

Tolerates light shade — good for north and east walls.

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Moderately thorny — typical for garden climbers.

Foliage

Dark green, glossy, healthy.

All characteristics in a table

Group: Climber (Large-Flowered Climber)
Breeder: Longley, 1949
Bud shape: Round, cream-white
Open flower: Double, cupped; 7–9 cm across; when fully open, a golden centre with stamens is visible
Centre: Moderately full, with golden stamens
Colour: Cream-white, ivory-coloured; almost pure white in sunshine
Fullness: Double, 20–25 petals
Flower carriage: In clusters of several flowers — abundant along the full length of the canes
Flowering: Repeat, abundant throughout the season
Fragrance: Medium, sweet — reminiscent of gardenia
Habit: Vigorous climber with long, flexible canes
Branching: Good; quickly builds up bulk
Shoots: Long, flexible — easy to train on a support
Thorns: Moderately thorny — typical for garden climbers.
Dimensions: About 250 cm tall × about 100 cm wide
Support: Yes — it needs support: arch, pergola, trellis, fence, wall. Horizontal tying gives abundant flowering.
Foliage: Dark green, glossy, healthy
Resistance: High, especially against black spot — one reason for its long-lasting popularity
Origin: Seedling of New Dawn × Lily Pons — the 'white sister' of the famous New Dawn

Colour scheme

Cream-white, ivory-coloured; almost pure white in sunshine

Rose neighbours

Schneewalzersnow-white

Elfecreamy greenish

The Fairysoft pink

Munstead Wooddark raspberry · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavender ‘Munstead’lavender

Catmint (Nepeta)light blue

Delphiniumblue

Woodland sagepurple

Neighbouring roses

White climbers are a versatile partner; lovely beside pastels or as a calm backdrop for bright colours:

Schneewalzer Elfe The Fairy Munstead Wood

Perennials and clematis

Blue and lavender tones bring white flowers to life best:

lavendercatmint 'Faassen'delphiniumsalvia 'Caradonna'clematis 'Jackmanii'

Contrasting accents

Dark greenery and rich blue flowers emphasise the purity of white:

Blue delphiniumsDark thuja/yew as a backdropgeranium 'Rozanne'lady's mantle (Alchemilla)

More about the variety

Origin: Seedling of New Dawn × Lily Pons — the 'white sister' of the famous New Dawn

How to grow

Where to plant. Arches, pergolas, trellises, fences, walls 2–2.5 m; lovely on a light or dark wall, by an entrance, in a romantic 'white garden'. Thanks to its tolerance of partial shade, it also suits spots that are not fully sunny.

Climate. Hardy to about −26 °C, USDA 5–9. Reliably overwinters in most of Ukraine; in the north, give the base light protection.

Care. Undemanding, rarely ill. Spring sanitary pruning, removing spent flowers to encourage a new flush, and horizontal tying-in of long canes.

About the name

Name. 'White Dawn' — 'white dawn'. The name points directly to its kinship with the famous pink climber New Dawn ('new dawn'): White Dawn is its white successor.

Breeding. Bred by the American breeder L. E. Longley and introduced in 1949. Parentage: New Dawn × Lily Pons.

Significance. One of the classic white climbers of the XX century, still listed by nurseries worldwide. Valued for its clean cream-white colour, gardenia fragrance, abundant repeat flowering and outstanding resistance to black spot.

Frequently asked questions about White Dawn

Does White Dawn need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −26 °C (USDA zone 5–9). Overwintering depends on the conditions. Reliably hardy across Ukraine.

How many times a season does White Dawn flower?

Repeat, abundant throughout the season.

How big does White Dawn grow?

About 250 cm tall, about 100 cm wide.

Which diseases affect White Dawn?

Overall resistance: 5 out of 5. High; especially resistant to black spot.

How much sun does White Dawn need?

Sun or partial shade; tolerates light shade — good for north and east walls.

What does White Dawn smell like?