The plant never "took off" like the other plants did. It produced a half dozen or so purple flowers on 15" stems, but the plant never had more than one or two stems growing on it at a time. It grew to 32 inches tall in it's first year, the following year it was only 26 tall.
In the spring only one cane remained for the new growth to start on, but grow it did, forming three large buds early in the season. This plant was not bothered by either aphids or blackspot. It looked considerably healthier by the end of the season, but still on the small side. It was replaced with another Moonstone when it died, that one didn't even make it through it's first winter. While I like the plant, it doesn't seem to be a good match for my garden if you are looking for a long term plant. If you are willing to replace it every season, then it's a very rewarding rose bush, at least in my area.
The buds start out a darker color then they end up being, but they open into large wonderful flowers with a beautiful shape. I just wish it produced more of them.
