It is, as described, remarkably vigorous and it appears to also be quite hardy. I live in zone 7 where our winters rarely get below the mid-twenties. However, this year we dropped below zero. My teas were almost cut to the ground and most of my other repeat blooming roses showed some damage. But not this one. It was unphased by the temperatures or the ice. It's blooming profusely now, which is another of its distinctions worth noting. It is packed with blooms. No diseases either, though I can't speak to rust since we never have it in this climate.