I am growing an own root WWII Memorial in a 20" pot. My SC summers are hot (90*+) and very humid and winters are relatively mild (8a).. This is my 2nd year with it and it has struggled both years with both black spot and die back. I don't don't spray regularly but did try a bicarbonate spray and Bonide Revitalize to see if I could help it along, but it has still struggled. I am considering ordering it as a grafted plant as I love the sliver glow and amazing fragrance, but it just hasn't been vigorous on its own root in my area.
I grow a grafted (possibly Dr. Huey) plant in 6b, and vigor is pretty lackluster, even though I spray, fertilize and water routinely. I'd rank it in the bottom 10% of what I grow, but it still puts out a few fabulous blooms every month.
This rose has been rock solid and maintenance free in my hot humid upstate SC summers/8a winters. I don't think I have seen a speck of disease on this rose in the two years I have had it and this year we had a streak of almost daily rain for a month. It blooms freely and is almost constantly in bloom. Growth is compact and shrubby, perfect for a pot. The blooms hold for 3-5 days on the bush, but it reblooms so quickly it doesn't matter that they don't last long. The blooms hold form gets blousy after a couple of days, and the stems don't get long enough to take inside, so it isn't made for a cutting flower. It also is minimal to no fragrance. However, it is definitely a highly recommended rose, especially for beginners.
