Don't worry - the second year will give you a nice flush in early
spring. You should also start to see some fairly long canes starting
to develop this year. In the second year, I had some nice 8 - 10 foot
canes. That second year will see some really major growth as well.
Everything will probably be a little slower for you in KC than here in
Nashville, but down't worry, it should grow like gangbusters.

EXCEPT, I forgot that this is that "Zone 7" plant that you were
experimenting with (or was that The Fairy Cl. that you were thinking
about trying)"

Yup! this is the Z7 I'm pushing the envelope with.

Thanx for the reassurance I always thought
old blush was like a monthly rose. Will keep the
winter protection in mind. Just let it grow I guess.



My problem is now with my Aloha. It seems to be reverting to its
climbing form, instead of its bushy form. It's driving me nuts. I
don't know what to do. I think it's my poor pruning techniques...but I
have some almost 9 fot canes sticking out of one quadrant of the bush.
Looks very unbalanced...

Maybe its all that unaccustomed fertilizer you've
been feeding her. But Aloha is generally classified
as a large flowered pillar type climber. You could
try training it. I doesn't like being fenced however.

Mine keeps making sideways basals when I try
to strighten it up.

--
Theo in Zone 5
Kansas City