Carla, as far as I know Distant Drums does fairly well in the Los Angeles heat, I've seen the edge of the flowers get crispy only when it gets over 85 degrees. In regards to the fading, it is rather normal and expected for this rose. Your flowers don't look too far off from those I've seen here, I think yours is just a young plant that needs to reach maturity. I've also noticed they don't last as long as other roses.

Here's a photo I took on the 5th of April. Distant Drums was one of the first bloomers!

Oh wow, thanks for that photo!
Most of the photos I've seen are buds in cooler regions.
Is it also normal for the blooms to only last 2 days, or is that because it's new?
Carla

Blooms lasting only 2 days does seem a bit off. I'm not an expert so I'll let others more knowledgeable chime in but I think if you're patient, in a few years your plant will be very rewarding.

DD does well in our heat and holds well on the bush. Then again, we have humid heat.

Carla , I thought this pic was neat bc it shows the progress of the bloom . A little out of order , but bud at top then going up from the bottom. I think it’s about a 4 day show for me . I’ll check again tomorrow . This week in temecula we are having cooler 80s so that should help . I do have mine getting some shade as well . As you can see it was an absolute rust bucket this early spring but grew out .

Thanks Lily, that's a perfect example. I think I will move it to a shadier spot, it's got a prime sun one now.
Carla

Maybe if it’s in a pot let it grow it’s roots in a little shade and then give it full sun . I’m sure it needs the full sun to bloom well . Mine isn’t a bad bloomer but I wish it was nice and full like jd posted! Wow ! I actually planted a rose right up next to it to fill out the space bc I was getting tired of the weird shape .

Wow KJ! It's Synchronized Blooming, new Olympic event!

Thanks for letting me know it's behaving normally.
Carla

Well you can see it shattered off at the top today .You know , the more I dwell on it the more I think I want to use a rose that will Bring me more joy here. I may move DD to a pot

I planted DD last fall and this year I have had 4 blooms. They are pretty but the color only lasts a day.

They turn to pale pink which is still beautiful, and drop the petals in 3 or 4 days