Hi Lilyfinch. I bought Margaret McDermott during the ARE sale in May or June, so I have not had it long. So far it has grown well, maybe about 2 feet high and 2.25 wide. A nice branching shape as opposed to just shooting straight up. It has bloomed steadily, mostly individual blooms, but right now it has a new cluster of buds. As for blackspot, it has lost some lower leaves but seems to refoliate well. I have not sprayed it. Also it is currently in a five gallon pot, so I expect performance will improve when it is in the ground. I bought it, along with some other Pioneers, hoping for disease resistance and some pretty single flowers. I will attach the photos I have.

Deborah, thank you !! It looks very pretty . I like the golden color of it . What other pioneer roses did you buy ? I'm new to these and curious . Also , does anyone grow gypsy sue ?

Also , why aren't there entry's on help me find about them ?

Lilyfinch, the other Pioneers that I bought are: Audubon, Caroline Hunt, Cole’s Settlement, Thomas Affleck and Field Roebuck. Audubon so far has performed best; no disease, nice bushy shape and numerous blooms. Caroline Hunt also has a nice shape and a lovely flower, but she has lost about 25% of her leaves to black spot. Cole’s Settlement has grown more upright, no black spot and few blooms. Field Roebuck has a lovely striped flower but has grown very little and lost a lot of leaves to black spot. I have started using fungicide on Hunt & Roebuck in hope that they will snap out of it before cold weather. Affleck has been healthy and bloomed some. I can’t find a photo of CS, but I know it has bloomed, a large blush/white single flower. Here are photos of the others. Like you I could find little information on the Pioneers.

Audubon

Caroline Hunt

Thomas Affleck

Field Roebuck

Deborah, do you have any more feedback on Margaret McDermott or any other of the Pioneer series? ARE seems to have discontinued Field Roebuck. Dang. I really wanted to try that one. They also discontinued Ghislaine de Feligonde and Phyllis Bide. : (((