Thanks, Pablo. I intend to cut it back at least 12 inches. As I've discovered in the last couple of weeks, it is very healthy. It just needs to be pruned judiciously. The reason I was so concerned is that it is the first rose that someone (including me) sees when they walk into the only gate in a 50 yard garden. I want to start off on the right foot.
I will with until late March, but I'll start to itch about it on the last day of February.
