Got FM two months ago bare root from Regan-five canes luckily. Nor Cal, no freezing so he went right into the ground. Coming along considering that he arrived with three dead canes. He has a bud and the leaves are big and healthy. I saw the same rose potted up at a local nursery and it looked much better, twice as big and much bigger buds. Too early to tell about blooms and such but no blackspot or mildew.

^^^ LOL!

So far so good with my large own root bareroot from Rosemania. I saw larger budded ones at San Gabriel Nsy but have a feeling own root will be a good choice if this rose is a bold grower. For an own root, it has grown quickly with stout canes but then it had some good sized roots to start with.

I got mine In February from Reagans and put him right into the ground. He leafed out well, but is more or less just sitting there still (and we are well into our growing season already). No buds yet, plant is only about 1' x 1'.

Brittie, HMF states this rose is a heavy mid season performer.

Here's my Francis today, looking a bit pale. Strong sun here in the desert.

Francis was VERY winter tender last year, my friends did not make winter, that said it was a very hard one last year, but I would not order it in my area,
unless I was to trench the plant for winters...

Mine grows very tall, but rarely blooms. Less than ten flowers total. Maybe I have a dud plant, or it doesn't like where it lives, or doesn't like me, or... Lol. I was about to shovel it when THIS happened yesterday.

Sigh. It smells amazing.

I got mine a couple of yrs ago. First yr not one bloom and almost no growth beyond the initial early spring spurt. Last yr I think he bloomed maybe twice? And I mean two blooms. Here's one of them. Don't remember if he smelled good or not.

At least it's not just me.