Hi Steve: I'm 42 minutes away from you. My rose garden is featured in HMF under "Chicago IL 5a". My neighbor has a huge garden - both she and I are expanding our garden for next year, so we both can come and look at your roses. I already placed my order for 10 roses for next year, but I still have room .... Hopefully my neighbor hasn't placed her order yet, I will forward your message to her.

I dug a hole close to the trunk per your suggestion and found water 1 feet deep and lots of clay soil. It didn't rain recently - it must be drainage issue. Attaching picture. I went to the local nursery and based on their suggestion did the following 1. Added root strengthening solution - assuming transplant shock 2. Home depot person suggested using Vitamin B1 solution to help with stress 3. I also added peat moss and organic compost+ manure to the top layer As far as staking goes, it is one year old - i added it after my tree fell down during a storm. Looks like i need to drain properly and improve the soil - it will be a long battle I also have a new problem - bark is splitting - not sure if i should do something about it - any ideas are welcome. Thanks for all the responses. Adding picture of bark as well.

It is a very beautiful rose and I love all the colors too and that you can see the textures of it. Wish I had room enough for this much rose. This would be perfect for me, I have a kids playset to block out behind me now:) Les

Gorgeous colors, Ann! Yours looks considerably bushier than mine. Mine is a classic limited HT shaped bush with a couple of tall narrow canes and a few blooms at the top. I love the blooms but there aren't that many of them for me even in decent sun and conditions. Still, I consider it a keeper (it takes a lot for me to boot a rose, but this one earns its narrow garden space). Mine is root hardy but never cane hardy in zone 5. Cynthia