Question
I am in the Boston area.  I transplanted what I thought was a
rose.  The branches are growing like crazy, but it has not
bloomed, so am thinking it is not a rose.  It has small leaves and
lots of thorns.  Is there any way to know if it is a rose?

Thanks,
Marge Roberson

Answer
There are roses that bloom on the growth they made the year before so you then would get flowers next year from the plant. Also some roses grow like a drunken spider, throwing out flexible canes in all directions. Having said that, you may still have planted a rose. Your description of many thorns is a good indication of a rose because although many shrubs do have some thorns, they do not have many like a rose bush does.
Keep treating it like a rose and I think it will bloom for you next spring. Hope this helps.