Question
Hi Lynnette, I have two climbing roses planted last november in my garden. The first is That's Jazz, which is growing well and is already on it's second flush of flowers. The other is an Etoile De Hollande which is putting up canes, but no flowers seen so far this year. Is this normal for this variety of climber? It seems healthy enough in all other respects, and is getting same care and attention. Thanks, Mark

Answer
There is a big difference between a rose that has sported into a climber from a bush and one that was bred as a climber. The roses that are bred as climbers will usually give you roses the first year and they are not extremely vigorous. However the ones that have sported into a climber are always very vigorous and Etoile is VERY vigorous. It could take up to three years before this climber gives you a lot of blooms. Mine took four years to bloom well. The reason is because it takes a lot of strength to make flowers and the rose is using up all it's strength making new growth. It is acting naturally and will bloom for you. The perfume on this rose is very strong.