Bred by Michele Malandrone in Italy and introduced to American gardens in 1958, Don Juan is among the most richly scented climbing roses in cultivation. The parentage of New Dawn and New Yorker gave it both vigor and repeat-blooming dependability: those 4-5 inch double flowers, packed with 26-40 velvety red petals, return reliably through fall on both new and old wood, which means hard pruning can be deferred until winter or done in stages throughout the season.

In the garden, Don Juan earns its vertical ambitions. Given a sturdy trellis, pillar, or arbor in full sun, it will reach 8-14 feet and establish a glossy dark-green presence that holds even when the flowers are between flushes. The glossy foliage offers some natural resilience, but black spot and powdery mildew deserve attention in humid summers. Plant it where the fragrance can be appreciated at close range, perhaps flanking an entrance or along a fence walked daily. Zones 5-9.