Thanks to both of you!
I will give it a good pruning the next chance I get. Probably in a week. I do love the fact that it does indeed cover the large wooden arbor, but I don't like ducking when I walk under it to avoid being scratched by the lateral branches. It does bloom off and on throughout the entire year. Though it seems to prefer the cooler temps of Winter for happier blooms. It is just too top heavy that it looks out of proportion to me. But maybe my thinking is all wrong. Maybe that is exactly how it is supposed to look. I did want a climbing rose to cover the arbor. It does that and then some ....
I've tried growing a number of rose cultivars over the years, but none survive past the second year. Bad soil and root-knot nematodes. My soil is horrible even with amending. So all but one of my roses grow in pots. My Don Juan has survived in the ground for about 5 years. It never gets real big, but it does bloom and the blooms are gorgeous and have a wonderful scent. It is not as vigorous as CC. I sure wished it was. But at least it has survived the ground soil and has not died.
I envy all of you who have such beautiful rose gardens! That must be Heaven! I wished I knew of a really lovely and fragrant rose that would grow well in a pot (not a climber) in FL zone 9b. I have the Knock Out Roses (a pink and a red one). No scent, very bushy. I have both in pots. I do like them because they have done well for me over the past 4 years, but I yearn for a "real" rose bush. (sigh) A big, glorious strong scented rose. In my dreams ....
Thanks for the help!
