I am in Oklahoma City and just love the huge size of the buds on this rose and the nice red color but it does not like to let it's petals open into a full open rose. Someone commented that because of the length of time it does take to open the petals start dying which is exactly what my blooms do. I did have some success on two buds when we were expecting heavy rain, I covered them with foil (yes kitchen aluminum foil). When the sun came out in 24 hrs, I uncovered them and they did start to open but took too long and the petals started to turn brown. The foliage is also scant. I keep waiting for this rose to WOW me as it has been so close to doing at times but I am still waiting. I have had only 4 blooms in two and a half months of growing season.