I use the Bayer systemic product on my roses. It comes in granules that you work into the soil at the base of the plant. I used it when I planted my roses and every month on the 15th. I give them RoseTone on the first. Even though I planted some new hybrid teas, I haven't had blackspot. The foliage is beautiful this year in spite of the terrible humidity and constant rains. I tried growing hardy roses organically in my first garden, but got frustrated with the blackspot ruining the foliage.
The only pest so far was various caterpillars and white wormy things. They seemed to paraglide from neighboring trees onto new blooms.I sprayed just the blooms with neems. Problem solved.
The biggest challenge is the voracious, calm deer in the neighborhood. They are extremely tame. I was three feet away form a group of them across the street from my garden. I seem to spend more time mixing up diy bambi-be-gone than I do cooking these days. It works if I spray constantly - daily lately since it has been raining every afternoon.
