Question
I have a Josephs Coat rose planted bymy back door in full sun. I has never quit blooming in the three years I have had it. It was knocked down and torn up by Hurricand ike but is now growing all over the place through weeds and everything else. Blooming all the time. I would like to transplant it to my front yard because it is so beautiful but I afraid to do anything to it. Inever thought it would even grow it was such a pitiful little thing when I received it. It has never even been watered or fed although it has been flooded several times. Do you think it can be transplanted or should I leave it alone. There is nothing else back there and I would love to see it more. Is there anything you can tell me about it and what I should do? I am too old and frail to do much digging and I dont want to lose it I love it so much.
Also is this typical of Josephs Coat - do they always bloom constantly and survive sun in Houston and sometimes flooding rain.
If I get more of them will they probably be the same way.I dont understand why I dont hear more about them and why  there arent more of them offered. I appreciate any information you can give me or any advise on this. I feel so fortunate to have found your site. Every place I ask they seem to not even have heard of them.
Thank you and my beautiful rose bush thanks you too.

Answer
Joseph's Coat is a beautiful rose but it must be in a warm climate to do well and look it's best. This rose will sulk and get rose diseases when grown in a cold winter or a wet climate and that is why it is not a popular one. However, when grown in a warm area, it does very well. This rose is classified as a climber but is happiest as a large shrub about 7 feet tall. The best time to transplant any rose is when it is not growing and has no leaves on it. That way it isn't aware it has been moved. If you want to move it then do it in the late fall or early spring. Have the hole ready, cut the rose back to 3 feet, dig up as much of the rose roots as you can, don't worry if you don't get the very deep ones, and then replant right away.You cut the rose back because you can't help damaging the feeder roots when you dig it up and so the roots can't sustain a large top growth. Place some sort of mulch all around the base and water, water, water. The main reason roses don't survived when moved, is because the gardener does not continue to water them. They must be kept moist, but not wet, for 6 weeks. It takes about 6 weeks for new tiny feeder roots to grow back. Digging a rose up always damaged these frail roots. Don't be concerned if the rose looks sad and complains, just ignore it and keep watering. It may take until the middle of the summer for it to start putting out new growth. Then give it some fertilizer as the roots will be able to use it.