Question
My mother in law planted a seven sisters climbing rose vine over a year ago and it has not bloomed yet.  Its in a sunny location in front of a wooden fence.  She lives in New Orleans, LA. Should the plant bloom the first year or does it have to mature?  Does she need any special fertilizer?  Thanks.

Answer
Roses bloom two ways. One is they make canes and leaves in the spring and early summer and then bloom on them the same year. The other way is they make canes one year and then bloom on those canes the next year. This is how Seven Sisters does it. So your mother in law's rambler has been making growth at the expense of making flowers. This is the best way for a climbing type of rose to grow. It should make lots of height and then flower. Making flowers takes the most out of a rose and will slow down the growth.