I grew her in Seattle -- really lovely fragrance! She does get either blackspot or maybe "Damask crud" -- but if you don't mind leaves that look nasty for part of the summer, I would recommend it. I hope to grow it again someday (currently I'm balcony gardening).

She has that Damask crud here too, but it does not affect her in the least.

I'm growing Grandmother's Hat in coastal southern California. I have her in a part shade location with antique roses including Marchessa Bocella/Jacques Cartier and Sydonie. She's doing very well i this section of my yard which receives a coastal breeze and tends to be a bit chilly at ground level. All my earlier antique roses seem to like this area best. It gets sun but also gets more coastal breeze and chill which seems to suit the antique European roses. GH is an ownroot rose and just over 18 months old. About 5 ft high but not yet a mature shrub. I may get a second one and see how it does in a sunnier dryer spot. I've tried some Damask and Moss roses, but most mildewed during our misty Spring, and then shrivelled up when weather turns sunny and dry in July - November.

We've grown GramHat for at least 30 years, in deep shade and in full sun. In our experience she has had excellent disease resistance in both situations.

Candacche -- That mirrors our experience with Damask and Moss roses, here in coastal Ventura County. Really, I wish you could try "Benny Lopez" -- I betcha it'd be terrific for you.

(Avail. from Burlington)

GH is a winner.

I'm so torn....GH would be in a prominent spot: a corner where it could flop and drape near a'Lavender Lassie' trained on a wall and 'Perennial Blue' trained on the fence adjoining the wall. It's not an open, airflowing spot...it's a warm corner. I am afraid blackspot may proliferate there.

I wish I had a big field where I could plant roses and just let them grow into glorious heaps! Jeri and Sheila, your GH's are truly lovely. You both are in much, much drier climates than I am. I am thinking I will plant her in an inconspicous place for now and she how she does. Then maybe move her to a better spot if she does ok.

Rosylady -- I, at least, am in a climate that's dry, and growing drier. Even our water is alkaline. Your PNW conditions are safe from both of those conditions, and to be honest many roses that are great for you are disasters here. We learned the hard way what sorts of roses are disasters for us.

@Rosylady (PNW zone 8) - I haven't seen much disease on her here in the Portland, OR, area, but I know we're a bit drier here. I just looked through my photos of her, and this was the only one that showed any blackspot (see the lower leaves). I think I just picked off those leaves, and that was the end of it! The smooth canes are a joy to work with.