I've contemplated growing this rose more than once. That orange color is so charming. But, after seeing a bunch in person and the rose in various stages of being open, I can't do it. The flowers fade into this ghastly, gross...almost grey color. It's not a charming transition to a mauve or something in that family, it's this lifeless, sad color. It's very unappealing.

I do grow Laura Bush, which is similar in coloring (in my eye), but it doesn't fade that bad. It starts a more vibrant shade and ends about at the color Pumpkin Patch begins.

August 2009 was one of the hottest summers in 150 years in Central Texas, but this rose stood up better than about 30 others we have, almost as well as our near-indestructible heirloom china roses. It even put out more blooms than the chinas, which tend to pull back in high heat. Fall was indeed much cooler, thank goodness, and this rose got back on track as fast as any, with lots of fresh healthy leaves to support the flowers. Then as luck would have it, we had a winter with record low temps--such wild swings in a 6-month period! Now finally spring is underway, and this rose has taken off. The foliage is very healthy, even though it's not in full sun but on the north side of a grove of trees that tend to shade it from late morning until late afternoon. It is so handsome even with no flowers on it yet, I'd almost grow it simply as a leafy shrub. Modest size, shiny foliage, not too many thorns. But don't get me wrong: I'm looking forward to its being a rose factory again this year. If you like its somewhat unusual color, and changing color at that, then Pumpkin Patch is very highly recommended.