JFK is a tough rose to grow if it is grafted on to Dr Huey root stock. Now on fortuniana root stock, it grows like a weed. In 2 yrs time, you will have a 5' tall bush that pumps out dozens of pure white blooms.

JFK is not the most vigorous rose but I don't recall it being a slow starter either. I also had Full Sail and it was about the same way. I've yet to come across a white HT that is really vigorous.

I noticed a JFK today at home depot that looks a lot bigger, so I bought it and now I have insurance. The first one may be already dead. Maybe this one is on a different root stock because it is a home depot rose. I think the first one was a Weeks Rose. It was hard to find Full Sail this year. I saw a bunch of them last summer at this one nursery called Urban Tree Farm Nursery, but they were not in good shape. This is the only time I have seen Full Sail. I would have gotten John Paul, but I am worried about the high petal count issue and balling. We have some morning fog.

updated Weeks claims they use Fortuniana, so I don't know now.

Weeks Website about Fortuniana