This rose is often regarded as the largest 'rambler' of all time (check it out in Google). Three years ago I planted it in my garden along with another rampant rambler named 'Rambling Rector'. Both are in identical situations on either side of a walkway and each has its own very old ash tree on which it can travel upwards and outwards.

Rambling Rector flowered in its second year and is again in flower now whilst it is travelling quite quickly up its tree.

However, Kiftsgate has grown very healthily up into its tree but has not yet produced a single flower. It has been fed and watered to the same extent as its cousin next door and there are no signs of disease or depredations. Has anyone grown this rose with similar results? Or, has anyone 'in the know' got an answer to what is causing the lack of flowering?

Alan Anglesey wrote:
However, Kiftsgate has grown very healthily up into its tree but has not
yet produced a single flower. It has been fed and watered to the same
extent as its cousin next door and there are no signs of disease or
depredations.

Why should a different variety have identical requirements? Sounds
like your Kiftsgate rose may need more phosphorus. Is it a young
plant? If so, it may just need another year or two to mature enough
to flower.

Una

kiftsgate rose takes a few years to put down it's roots so you have to wait a while, mine is just starting to send up huge shoots and is in the second year of flowering but it has been in the garden for about 6 years or maybe more, rambling rector has climbed a hawthorn and has been flowering since year 2 it will get there but will take it,s time.