I haven't grow ZD but have seen in other gardens that there's a huge flush in spring, which is marvelously fragrant and, as ogrose mentions, there are scattered blooms afterwards. For me the quality of the blooms would prevent me from growing it as much as the lack of much repeat bloom. They just don't inspire me. Since many people do grow ZD, it's very much a matter of personal opinion.

Ingrid

I just bought a Zeffy at a nursery in the sale bin for $2.50. I recall someone saying a while back that it took several years for it to establish itself, then it started to show off. Don't know if I would have paid a lot more for this rose - but many really like it so thought I would give it a chance. I am going to plant mine well, plenty of sun and let it take its time to grow and hopefully in a year or so, will surprise me with lovely blooms. If not, I haven't invested a lot.

I am also in Texas so have similar conditions.
Judith

My mother grew a Zeph in Dallas, TX, one I sent her from a cutting of mine. Hers thrived in partial shade--pretty darn healthy and floriferous. Odd blooms (just one now and then) after the spring flush and another small bloom flush in fall. In my experience, Zeph does require the settling in period of several years (3-5?) mentioned earlier. Then she explodes in fragrance and blowsy color. Here in Portland, my Zeph blooms even more than Mom's. Mom grew hers as an arching climber. I do the same. Mine isn't in the sunniest location either. Neither Mom's nor mine compete with forum member Zeffyrose's specimen, but I believe Zeffyrose planted her rose in full sun. -Carol

I have a ZD. It was one of my first roses and badly hampered by that - planted in a rotten spot, not enough sun, not enough ventilation, in a 'rose hole' etc. It blackspotted hideously the first few years, and then last year, mildewed and then rusted like a bucket, so I chopped it down to a healthy portion and dug it up and potted it. Tentatively, it's looking better. I too didn't get much in the way of rebloom, or even bloom for the first three years, but the fourth year it put on a reasonable show. It does smell good, but I don't find the individual blooms impressive, it's more of an en masse spead of colour rose IMO.
I think it's one of those roses that needs a lot of tlc if it's in a less than ideal spot, and going by the thread consensus, a slow maturer. Mine looks happier in a pot than it ever had in the ground, and is currently leafing out - I have noticed before that it's an early starter.

I have ZD on the NW corner of my yard, it's growing up the deck. It has a fantastic spring flush, but as others have said, not much after that. I consider it a once bloomer. However, that one bloom is to die for. I love the color and the scent can fill up my entire back yard. It does BS badly for me here in Georgia, I do spray it.