Also, I don't think I have fed it very much, assuming that it had enough because of it being planted in the rich compost-y soil.

Wow - that looks like a healthy plant! I have a rooted cutting I took from a very old huge tree eating one. It is in shade, so not very big, but it does bloom. Every year since I got it it blooms more. It is now 5 years old, and bloomed more this spring than ever, even in almost full shade. I think yours will be fine - give it a few years. Remember that it is a climber - it is looking for something to climb.

Jackie

Thank you, Jackie. You were one of the reasons I HAD to have FDY -- as well as Veilchenblau. I will give it as many years as it needs, who knows what will happen? I will be curious to see what a mild winter will bring, in regards to this rose. Its longer shoots I trained horizontally down the fencepost below it -- and I was sure those at least would produce some blooms. They didn't, not this year anyway. I do have a pink pussy willow tree beside FDY that is about 15 feet tall and the canes are beginning to climb into the tree.

I had another thought. When I thought back, mine also produced blooms only at the bottom for a year or so. Now it blooms all the way to the top. Perhaps it blooms on old wood only? That would explain why the new canes do not bloom at first. A good reason to tie up the canes, or let them climb, but not prune them.

Jackie

Thank you, Jackie. I am comforted to know that my FDY is following a similar pattern to yours, even though I know the process will be a bit different for me here in North Carolina. Delayed, prolonged or whatever but it sounds like she is on the right track.

I wouldn't prune her but I did cut off the tips that were burned/black from the winter.

Thanks so much.