Funny how climate, soil or culture can affect plant's vigor..I've grown 'New Dawn' at two houses, and both times it's been well-behaved. However, 'Mermaid' scared the heck out of me with it's vigor. I replaced it with 'Happenstance', which was also armed and dangerous.
At my last house, I had New Dawn paired with Clematis viticella 'Etoile Violet' and really liked the combination. I've got it paired with 'Jackmanii' now, and preferred the former combination. One of my favorite combinations that I saw in another garden was 'Altissimo' with grape. The lime green foliage with the red roses was spectacular. I find grapes to be far to vigorous to pair well with roses.. I have one that I'm constantly fighting with.
I've never co-mingled roses I suppose, because I like things somewhat tidy and not out of control. I wish I had some pictures from when I worked in Barbara Worl's garden. She had a beautiful zig-zag arbor in front with lots of rose blending going on.
