The plant was completely healthy in Zone 10a Encino, CA. NO fungal diseases at all. The foliage was gorgeous and it grew vigorously. It flowered repeatedly, but any time the direct sun hit those petals, they fried like Comtesse du Cayla's and anything descended from Agalia (I'm looking at YOU Leonie Lamesch). I liked the plants, including Purpurea's, but not being able to enjoy flowers from them due to their inability to withstand the intensity of the sun was the deal breaker. I sent it, and them, on to other homes where they could be provided conditions and positions more suitable to their fragile petals. It likely would have flowered more "continuously" had the heat and water retention of that crumbling ancient sea floor hill could provide, but there was usually evidence of fried flower clusters on the plant.

I have probably shared the story with you previously. If so, please forgive the repetition. I bought Blue Skies (BUCblu) the year before its official introduction. MUCH hype was made about Buck's "Blue Rose", touting it as "Ageratum Blue". I HAD to grow it. I loved the breeding and anything "blue" was on my radar. A group of Texas rose producers offered it budded for $25, PLUS shipping. Remember, that was nearly forty years ago and $25 for a bare root rose was HUGE. I received it and it was the single WORST plant I have ever endured. It had severe RMV, seldom producing a leaf without symptoms. It contracted rust, black spot AND mildew all together. The flowers had no shape and were frequently deformed and never lasted very long. Talk about disappointment. I gave it two years then dug it, chopped it in many pieces and sent it off to the landfill. It's still the most expensive bare root I have bought and that includes paying the equivalent of $15 - $18 each for the Harkness Hulthemias imported from Harkness when you could buy the J&P "Rose of the Year" Grade 1 for $5. Never again.