warrengk
first Welcome too the Forum, I had herrenhauser garten, for 3 years, I have too put mine in the basement for winter
it never did Bloom for me there are others that it has done really well for, I gave mine up, donated it, too a conservatory, still don't know if it Bloomed for them
in your climate it should do really well for you
good luck
Elizabeth

I had one here in Zone 5b-6a for 4 years. It bloomed the fourth year after I laced it in a 5 gallon pot in my pond. The plant was above water level but the roots grew down into the wetter soil. It seems to like a LOT of humidity to get it to bloom.
The bark on the older wood tends to become 'corky' and this is normal for this cultivar.

I started it from a small cutting and it had a few blooms on it's first year. They didn't get to open before a frost killed them. I think it did incredibly well for me here in zone 7b, NC. I thought it was very easy to grow.
kasha77