Not off to a great start and I have rose annuals from the 80's that in the Proof say things like: "Everything that could be wrong IS wrong".................blackspot and mildew have hit 6a Columbus hard..........we had no winter, it has been odd so grading on a curve and being generous but Black Baccara, Fandango and THIS one are my horrors............Grey Pearl, Soleil d'Or, several teas, ALL are healthier.............cannot spray the mlldew away off this one............and I try, I try once a day and have for weeks and at best it is "not gaining".............the plant has shot out bloom buds from leaf nodes which is odd and disturbing..........

Update, 6/13: Mint Julep has proven to be quite vigorous here in 6a, readily sending basals and quickly growing from a small, own-root band to a full size plant in a year. Mildew, mentioned above, was finally eradicated and happily I can report that blackspot on this one is not a problem. It sure isn't a rose for everyone, though. Seems to prefer heat (last year was very hot, this year damp and mild) and the blooms are just "odd" as in they really never fully open---just get to the 1/2 way point then end up dryingn the plant at that stage. At moments it does look quirkily interesting, borderline pretty, but just an oddity that many people will not find attractive or worth the space.....