I live in northern Illinois and this rose is fantastic. My Blush Veranda is own root, grown no spray or winter protection. I't survived our -22 last winter, of course it dies to the ground each year but grows back with vigor to a healthy full bush about 3ft tall and 4ft wide. She hasn't suffered from any diease. On the first flush of blooms each year there are some blooms that ball. Last summer was almost our coolest and wettest spring- summer on record, happy to say execpt for that first flush there where no more balled buds. Last comment, she's always full of blooms. A great northern rose bush.