My plant certainly isn’t disease free, but the rate of blackspot progression despite the high pressure in my growing conditions has been slow enough that it exceeded my (admittedly not very high) expectations. Luckily, problems like mildew or rust that can probably be serious threats in other climates are usually relatively mild here. Compared to so many other roses that will develop truly severe blackspot, at least, ‘Baron Girod de l’Ain’ seems to be putting up more of a fight.
Actually, my own prejudice would probably have continued to keep me from giving it a try if it weren’t for others who have attested to some blackspot resistance in humid climates. You can find some of that in the member comments section at HelpMeFind, and there is even a mention from one of the Pierres in this earlier forum discussion: Breeding for blackspot resistance background material
Regardless, I’ve only had the plant for a little over a year, so I hope to learn quite a bit more during the rest of this season and beyond.
Stefan