This was a slow starter for me. It is a budded plant, and I may try it own-root. The blooms in spring last year (2006) were not pleasing and I almost discarded this plant. Once past the initial flush, however, the blooms were wonderful. They open slowly (sometimes too slowly) and they last a long time in vase. You could not ask for better fragrance. The foliage provides adequate coverage, but it does not age gracefully and it would look better with more leaves. While it is not always in flower, the flushes repeat consistently even in the hotest weather. It is grown in a pot and has been very easy to keep in bounds. Definitely likes soil to be on the acid side. My water has high PH, and I guess it would build up in the potting media. I needed to give it some acidifier periodically to keep it happy. Despite an onslaught of Black Spot in the fall, I never saw a trace of it on this plant. As I don't deal with mildew or rust very often, I cannot speak to those problems. I've not used this for hybridizing yet, but have planned crosses for spring 2007.