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Don Juan (Rosa 'Don Juan'), whole plant
  • Don Juan — close-up of leaves and flowers
  • Don Juan — seasonal appearance
  • Don Juan in a garden setting

Don Juan

Rosa 'Don Juan'

Medium · Some experience

About Don Juan

Don Juan is a classic large-flowered climbing rose introduced in 1958, renowned for its richly fragrant deep velvety-red double blooms on long stems perfect for cutting. Growing 8 to 12 feet on vigorous canes with glossy dark green foliage, it produces flowers with strong old-rose perfume continuously from spring through fall. One of the most popular red climbing roses in American gardens for trellises, pillars, and pergolas.

  • Fragrant
  • Cut-flower
  • Climbing
  • Long-blooming
WATER
Regular
Top inch dry
LIGHT
Full sun
6+ hrs direct
HARDY
Hardy to -10°F (-23°C)
USDA hardiness zones 6–9

How to care for Don Juan

Watering

  • Springevery 7 days
  • Summerevery 5 days
  • Fallevery 10 days
  • Winterevery 21 days

Soil · Rich & loamy

  • Top dressingBark mulch15%
  • Main mixRich loam + compost 3:170%
  • DrainageGravel15%

Use fully finished compost — fresh compost burns roots.

FERTILIZER

Balanced Feed 14-14-14

An even feed covers all three needs at once, keeping leaves, roots and blooms moving together with nothing pushed out of balance.

N33%P33%K33%
  • Nitrogen · Leaves
  • Phosphorus · Roots + Blooms
  • Potassium · Strength
  • Springevery 45 days
  • Summerevery 45 days
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At a Glance

  • NativeEurope
  • Height8–14 ft (2.4–4.3 m)
  • Spread4–6 ft (1.2–1.8 m)
  • Flower colorRed, Burgundy
  • Foliage colorGreen
  • SoilLoamy, Well-drained, Rich
  • LocationsYard

Bloom time

BLOOM CYCLE

Peak bloom

May–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Deep red fragrant double blooms, deadhead and train horizontally for repeat

Fragrance

STRONG FRAGRANCE

The flowers have a strong damask fragrance.

Toxicity

Humans Slight

Unknown toxic principle

Slight

  • Stem
  • Contact

EXPOSURE Touching stems.

EFFECT Pricks from thorns.

NOTE Not toxic; thorns cause mechanical injury.

Safe

EXPOSURE No exposure route is reported.

EFFECT No toxic effect is reported.

NOTE Listed as non-toxic for dogs; avoid eating ornamental plants unless confirmed edible.

Safe

EXPOSURE No exposure route is reported.

EFFECT No toxic effect is reported.

NOTE Listed as non-toxic for cats; avoid eating ornamental plants unless confirmed edible.

Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

DISTRIBUTION

Don Juan · Native
  • Native
  • Europe

History

Illustrated historical scene for Don Juan

Rosa 'Don Juan' is a deep velvety red climbing hybrid tea rose bred by Italian hybridizer Michele Malandrone, released in 1958 from a cross between a seedling of 'New Dawn' and 'New Yorker'. The long pointed buds open to classic high-centered blooms of deep velvety crimson with dark wine undertones, up to thirteen centimeters across, produced continuously from late spring to heavy frost. A powerful sweet damask fragrance carries across a garden on warm evenings.

The vigorous climber reaches three to four meters and produces canes stiff enough to support itself on pillars and small trellises as well as larger structures. Though less disease-resistant than modern landscape climbers, 'Don Juan' has been a perennial American favorite for over sixty years for its combination of classic hybrid tea form, rich color, and intense fragrance.

Bred by Michele Malandrone in Italy and introduced in 1958, Don Juan became an instant classic for its rare combination of true velvet-red color, strong old-rose fragrance, and reliable repeat blooming. It remains one of the most widely planted red climbing roses in American gardens and a florist favorite for long-stem cutting.

Symbolism & meaning

What It Symbolizes

Don Juan Rose expresses passionate romance, its deep red velvet blooms releasing a strong, classic rose fragrance that almost insists on candlelight. Named for the legendary lover, it carries literary allure as well as horticultural richness — every climbing cane gestures toward old stories of seduction. A climbing rose for anyone who wants their pergola to feel a little operatic.

  • Passionate romance — deep red velvet blooms with strong fragrance
  • Literary allure — named for legendary lover

Where the Name Comes From

Named for the legendary literary lover Don Juan, reflecting the rose's romantic velvety-red allure.

Uses & Fun Facts

  • Velvety red blooms release rich classic damask rose perfume
  • Long-stemmed crimson roses cut for romantic bouquets
  • Repeat-blooming climber trained on pillars, arches, and trellises

Related plants

More Rosa plants

Plants with similar care

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Don Juan?

In summer, water about every 5 days; in winter, about every 21 days. Adjust for heat, pot size and drainage.

How much light does Don Juan need?

Full sun: 6+ hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.

Is Don Juan toxic to cats or dogs?

Pets Safe (Dogs Safe · Cats Safe) Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

Is Don Juan easy to grow?

It is moderately demanding: a good choice once you have a little experience.

When does Don Juan bloom?

It typically blooms May–Sep in the Northern Hemisphere.

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