I can't remember it balling, but this is a better rose in a cool climate. The blooms are finely formed and small on a large, vigorous plant. In hot, dry weather (here it's in the mid and high 90's late in June and all of July), the blooms have fewer petals and burn to deep red quickly. It's a fabulous rose for cool, foggy coastal California, where the blooms retain their fine forms and subtle coloring.