We’ve had a long cold wet winter this year. Perdita is the first rose bloom of the year in the whole garden. It has a pleasant fresh medium strength fragrance of myrrh blended with tea rose on a 4 inch flower. Leaves are prone to blackspot, but this is a tough plant that survives past neglect and drought conditions. The heavy clay soil & cool temperatures (60d/40n) contribute to the sumptuous colors in my pictures, but hot weather will bleach it to flesh & cream. I would recommend this rose to California gardeners and collectors. The blooms have the grace and elegance of Austin’s early crosses, but the plant’s performance compares poorly to modern disease resistant roses. However, this rose will do great in the desert because the plant itself is resilient and is not a water hog — but spraying for blackspot is probably required. Even though it has lower water needs than the average DA, the best flowers are produced with normal watering. Another tough as nails, low water variety is Queen Nefertiti.