A recent "body bag" rescue from Home Depot, New Day has been a lot more vigorous than I anticipated. Ok, so the coloring and the rose itself is nothing outstanding and doesn't have any particularly unique quality, but it's been a good rose. In an odd way, it reminds me of how my Gold Medal has performed...but where Gold Medal tends to shade on the red/orange-tinged side, New Day is a lighter, whiter tone. Not amazing, not bad...it just is.
Havd not grown this one in years, remember fondly the color which was always almost white on the very outside petals and also recall there being a unique sort of "squareness" to the blooms..........Jackson and Perkins gave this one a lot of hype late 70's/early 80's.....maybe not an incredible rose but in the 4 or 5 years I grew it, a really solid rose.......and another one that amazes me has been not only left in the dust but really left in the dust and barely available...................I think it was a J&P rose of the year? Maybe 1977????
New Day/Mabella is being sold at Walmart this year. Seems someone in Tyler decided to revive it. I can never understand how the wholesale companies decide which off patent roses to propagate.
Goncmg - if you have the time, would you please take a look at a foundling of mine "Hill Farm Two-Tone Yellow" http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.73908 I have often wondered if it could be 'New Day'
2 years ago! And I JUST got the notification for this! Patricia, 75% of me says New Day/Mabella. 25% of me says no? The leaf is spot on. And that blackspot, lol. I recall the variety having a very boxy, square bloom. I admit I may be "off" on that? In the past 2 years what have you uncovered???? The leaf is spot on.
So good to see your name again, goncmg. If you have that little doubt, then I do too. I haven't really discovered anything new, but I haven't really been searching - there always seems too many other things to be done.
Do you recall how the disease resistance for New Day was? I love yellow roses, but currently only have St. Patrick (which I actually can't stand) and Gold Glow (which I love) as yellow HT's. I'm always tempted to save New Day, but I haven't jumped off that bridge yet. Is it worth the efford?
I recall a decent amount of blackspot. Yellow and released in the 70's, unless you are in Palm Springs it is going to blackspot. I recall it being a bit healthier than Oregold and King's Ransom if that helps. And Patricia, the bloom is what is throwing me because I recall New Day/Mabella having an almost squareness about the bloom that I am not seeing here...........
Opinions vary, but for those in search of it, New Day (Kordes) now available at Menards (Midwest Big Box store along the lines of Lowe's) in Body bags, with which I have had good luck. Get 'em now while they're in best condition. Always check the web site first to see if your store has roses in stock, listed under #1 1/2 Rose. Miscellaneous varieties in large skid. Dig through it to find what you need. BRING GARDEN GLOVES!!! $5.
Also: Heirloom, Fragrant Cloud, The Fairy, Iceberg, Blue Girl, Don Juan, Queen Elizabeth, Gold Glow, Oklahoma, Camelot, Champlain, plenty I didn't pay attention to because they were not what I need. Last year they had Belinda's Dream, JFK, Mr. Lincoln and Peace, among others. If I return, I will write them down.
I am very happy with this rose. The color does not fade for me but mine gets shade at the hottest part of the day. Good repeat and no blackspot problems so far. Mine does have a moderate/strong fragrance.
