My four years old queen Elizabeth rose got few black spots this year due to three reasons. 1st, I moved and replanted the rose last summer, so the rose need to re-establish the root system and no energy to fight black spots. 2nd, I pruned the rose, in spring, with un-sterilized pruner which I used for other old roses. 3rd, my area got a lot of rain this spring even in early summer, humidity level was very high. BUT, she is a such strong rose I have never seen before, I roughly moved and re-planted her last July, the end of July, she almost lose all the leaves, but she recovered herself in August and gave me a few flowers in September, and another few flowers in October. This spring, I fertilized the rose with cow manure and organic rose food, then she is blooming like crazy, regardless her black spot, one flush followed by another flush, each flush, about three weeks, has 20 flowers approximately, several flowers in between flushes, the flowers hold a nick pink color for a few days and then turn to pale pink, she never drops her head or loss her petals even with big rain or strong wind. She is a really QUEEN, I highly highly recommend the queen of Elizabeth rose, especially if you are a new gardener, or rose lover.