Question
About 10 years ago I purchased a John Austin climbing, pink rose. I'm sorry I don't have the name with me. I is a showy rose but very slow in growth. I have necessary had to move it three times. It now is very happy. In is second home a second rose grew up next to it but never bloomed. Also, it didn't look in any way like the JA rose. Smaller leaves and many more of them on the branches. The third time I moved it I separated the two roses. The JA has never looked better nor the "cousin" (step sister?)but the cousin still does not bloom. Was this strange rose a parent that the JA rose was grafted to at one time? Can you unravel the mystery? I would be most grateful for any enlightenment. Many thanks, Linda

Answer
Most roses are budded onto a vigorous rose as an understock. But sometimes if the budding didn't take properly, you end up with two roses that grow. Understock if budded properly won't grow. What you have is the Austin rose plus the rose it was budded onto. The understock is probably Dr. Huey which is a double red climber. Give it another year and it may bloom for you. Dr Huey is often trashed but it does produce attractive red flowers.