I am growing two own-root Heritages as climbers on either side of my front porch, using a pillar for each as support.  David Austin's catalog states that Heritage can be trained to climb, so instead of pruning the overly long canes, I have started to pillar them.  If the rose gets too 'bushy' and wide, I just cut off some of the shorter canes at the base.  Heritage canes are easy to train when they are young and flexible.  I chose the rose because of its Romantic old fashioned look, as I wanted a cottage-y feel.  Plus it is reputed to be thornless, and although it is relatively thorn-free, there ARE occasional thorns.  But it's a much safer rose than most to have proximate to pets and people.  I agree that the flowers shatter easily, but they ARE heartbreakingly beautiful, and plentifully borne on the bush.  Plus they are delightfully scented.  My Heritages are also very healthy with minimal spraying, and I live in St Louis, aka 'Blackspot Hell'!  Claire, Zone 5/6   

As pretty as this rose bush is, the petals drop off too easily. That is the only reason I wouldn't grow it again.

Heritage has proven to be hardy and robust here in zone 5. One of mine is on a protected East wall and grows over 7 feet tall each year. Both of my Heritage are in bloom continuously throughout the summer & fall.