I'm in Hawaii. I bought this rose from Vintage Garden about 2 yrs ago as an own root band. It doesn't do too well here...it is still only 1 ft tall. It suffers a lot of cane die back...I only have one branch left. I get one bloom every two months. I do not spray. Anyway, it continues to survive barely.

Putting in my plug for a little research before you buy. There are "sterile" varieties now that will save you a lifetime of weeding the all buggering babies they make. It is either the Chiffon or Satin series. You have no idea how prolific the fertile ones and how time consuming it is pulling the thousands of seedlings. The sterile ones are as lovely as any of the other ones. I'm going to look them up now so I can be more assertive in the next recommendation I make. Not the ones I was thinkiing of but here's a start: "Four of them are U.S. National Arboretum introductions: 'Diana' (white), 'Aphrodite' (pink with a red eye), 'Minerva' (pale lavender) and 'Helena' (white with a red eye). You might also run across a new Proven Winners variety called 'Sugar Tip,' which is pale pink with variegated leaves. That one doesn't produce seed." and "Blue Satin" (from Mobot), there is also Rose, Azure, Culture "Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best flowering occurs in full sun. Prefers moist, organically rich soils, but tolerates poor soils and some drought. Very tolerant of summer heat and humidity. Generally tolerant of urban conditions. Flowers appear on new growth, so plants may be pruned to shape in late winter to early spring. Pruning back to 2-3 buds may produce larger blooms. Easily propagated by stem cuttings. This is a sterile cultivar that does not produce viable seed."

davidrt28 - The weather is psychotic in my area, the summers are hot and humid and the winters are bone chilling. You are warmer overall of course but, it is not unusual at all for us to be near or over 90 F on many days then add the humidity. I adore Rheum so I created a mini bog. I simply dug out a very large hole and lined it with two layers of thick gauge plastic sheeting and punctured one hole with my scissors. I filled in with my good sandy loam amended with a generous amount of compost. The crown must be dry but the roots love moisture and they are very happy in boggy conditions. Since they are heavy feeders I will give it a top dressing of compost every year. These plants grow very quickly and are so architectural. Love them! You may still choose not to have a plant that you feel you may need to fret over but this could help alleviate some of the worry for you or anyone else considering this beauty.Rheum palmatum 'Atrosanguineum' May 23rd on its second year.Same plant on Sept. 27th.

That one may often need some shade even in the cool climates to which the species is adapted. Best to look at other variegated plants for Florida.