'New Dawn' Rose Cyclic Defoliation: Bud Union or Soil Issue

New Dawn Roses: Summer Leaf Drop Followed by Regrowth and Bloom

Two previous 'New Dawn' roses: flowered profusely early summer, then ALL leaves died (looked dead), then new leaves appeared, then bloomed until November. Neighbors' 'New Dawn' don't do this. New plant in different spot doing same.

Diagnosis: Root or Bud Union Stress

• Total leaf drop = soil or bud union problem
• Causes: insufficient water, hot roots (no mulch)
• Survival response: drop leaves → die back canes
• "Temporary glitch" possibly from weak bud union
• Same behavior in new location suggests variety tendency or source issue

Positive Sign

Self-correction and late-season bloom indicate strong recovery capacity. Mulch heavily for cool roots.