Sorry to hear that you lost a favorite. From your description it sounds like a fairly sudden death. Perhaps you have some animal that attacks roots in the same way that our pocket gophers do out here in the west. I would be surprised to learn that an ordinary winter, or even an especially cold one in your climate, would kill an established and healthy plant of this variety.

Rosefolly

I agree with Rosefolly that it's unlikely that the rose died as a result of harsh winter conditions. This sport of 'New Dawn' was discovered in what is now the Czech Republic, and the Quest-Ritsons have written that 'Awakening' is especially valued throughout central Europe precisely because of its hardiness & ability to withstand winter extremes.

I really sympathize with you. I had sudden deaths this spring of two garden favorites -- a prized Daphne odora and a pampered rhododendron. Have to admit, though, that my loss of those two isn't as mysterious as the death of your climber.

Sometimes when they have extensive root systems, especially if they're own-root, or the graft union is well underground, if you leave the roots/graft alone they come back (although a rose's new canes may not emerge from the ground until July). My Fragrant Cloud & Paul Shirville did that after a particularly freaky winter a few years ago. They're still going.

I understand how you feel----I lost a huge New Dawn to RRD --it was upsetting

Florence

Oh, the rose was beautiful! How frustrating for you. I'm sure you will miss it and replace it in time. Rosefolly makes a good point. I would think a rose this mature would not die that fast without some (strange) reason other than just the cold, especially since your other roses fared well.

I totally understand how you feel. I had the most beautiful Rev D'Or that a neighbor poisoned. It was heartbreaking to lose it because it was my very first OGR that I planted. My heart still catches when I look at that spot in the garden. That is a beautiful picture!

A neighbor poisoned your Reve d'Or??? How horrible! Did they spray Round-Up on it or something? I can't imagine someone being so mean. BTW I love that rose, I understand how you feel.

I don't know the reasons why it died so suddenly. The roots were strong and deep and not chewed up. I did see some borer damage but that wouldn't have done it. My DH burned it up before I could really get a really good look at the canes but I had already resigned myself to the fact it was gone and so that is that. It is weird though. Every single cane was brown and brittle inside. I won't replant with another rose. I'll let the clematis take over the spot for now and wait and see. There's an Autumn Sunset just around the corner on the long side of the pergola that hopefully can take over some of the space too.

This has been a very sad spring. The bluebirds haven't even come back to the nest boxes. Everything seems to have been pushed back by at least a couple of weeks. Hopefully things will turn around and we will have a glorious season. (Fingers crossed!)