I have grown this rose in Atlanta, GA where the humidity makes it difficult to grow a decent looking plant. I didnt use anything to control blackspot and it performed great, only losing a few leaves with spots on them. I just removed them and kept the old flowers cut off (they bloom in large bouquets of a dozen or so to a clump) and this kept the plant blooming constantly at the end of each cane the second year. At that point , it was about 4-5 feet tall and wide and was grown out in the open and not as a climber. It was also planted in the red clay of Georgia with no soil amendments. I think this is the toughest and prettiest rose Ive ever grown.