I planted this last year and in late summer/early fall it really bloomed well. That was only an omen of what was to come. This spring the bush took off like a rocket after dormancy and no winter protection at all in zone 5. It has turned into a blooming machine, covered with buds. If you take out the terminal bud you get pretty sprays and if you take out the side buds you will get some exhibition quality single stem blooms that last well in the vase. It also stayed very healthy from all the normal rose pests last year.