Thank you for the woodpecker advice. Husband bought an owl before you sent it...hee hee. I have some kind of a trailing rose bush that blossomed the 1st year we moved here (3.5years ago) but since has not had one flower. However, it does grow like a weed all over the place. Am tempted to dig it up but thought I would check if I need to do something like feed it?? If so... what?

Dear Kay:

You could have a desirable climbing rose or perhaps a wild climbing rose that had started from seed from bird droppings, or the desirable cultivar has died at the ground and you are seeing what kind of rose was used for the rootstock now.. If your rose is growing as fast as you say, fertilizing will only increase the cane growth and create an even bigger plant.

Roses buds form on branches that are horizontal much more readily than those growing straight up. Consider tying or training them in a horizontal direction.

If you feel the plant is really out of control, you could prune it down completely early next spring and start all over. It may take it into the second year to bloom, depending on the kind of rose it is.

Sincerely, Richard Hentschel