I tried GC for three years and decided it was not a rose for my garden. The flowers were pretty when the opened up properly, but they too often balled or were infested with thrips. Most flower buds never opened or were pathetic if they did. The bush is excessively prickly and should not be approached without leather gloves. I had problems with mildew on this rose, though no black spot or rust (it rarely gives me problems here -- RUST and mildew are much bigger problems in San Francisco). The rebloom did seem pretty quick and the plant grew nicely, but who wants a mildewed, prickly bush that only makes the occasional open flower? All I did was cut off aborted blooms.

I gave the plant to my mother in a much warmer (summer) and drier climate. I hate to say it, but it looks almost as wretched in her garden as mine. She has asked be to shovel prune it for her. No more GC for me!