Appears to remain healthy under 'waterless' (no water once-established) conditions east of Los Angeles, in good soil. This is only the first year of testing, however. The garden site has a Mediterranean climate and experiences several-months-long drought each summer. Upon the drought, plants defoliated completely to leave an attractive branch structure and do not appear to be susceptible to sunscald. There has been a bit of dieback at the very tips.

In the first winter after planting, MBRC had a full, springlike flush of bloom in January but balled in the rain, so didn't give all the color it could have. We'll see if things improve this winter, after the rains start. Plants contracted powdery mildew in late spring (perhaps mildew was exacerbated by the waterless conditions), affected areas defoliated then releafed. Plants then defoliated from drought some weeks later, in July.

The plant is being tested because of it's combination of desiccation tolerance, possibly being hardy to USDA hardiness zone 5; heat tolerance, as shown By Robert Rippetoe's and other's testimony from very hot climates; and ability to grow under cool winter conditions, a trait it shares with other Tea roses.