Winter Rose Care & Pruning
Although major rose pruning is not done until late February into early March, there are a few things I do to get roses settled in for the winter. First, I wait until the first frost has occurred before I do anything. That happened on December 1 this year, a little later than normal. If you do any pruning prior to that, new growth will be encouraged, and it will just be nipped later. I will then do minimal pruning, about 1/3 of the plant or to about waist-high. It does not matter how you make the cuts. More precise pruning will be done in late winter. Giving roses a slight pruning at this time will decrease the damage from strong winter winds. Roses are not deeply rooted, and any long canes can spell trouble. Pick off any remaining leaves, if possible. I know that can be a big job if there are still many leaves left on the plant but you don't want leaves, especially diseased leaves, left to fall and harbor spores for next season. Clean the area around the base of the rose. Rake out ...
Holy crap! Your garden never fails to astound.
ReplyDeleteI never get tired of seeing pictures of you garden, Phillip. I hope one day we can get to where you guys are. I want the garden to be so full that you have to follow a path to see everything.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, what outstanding roses. I hope you were spared the strong winds and hail of a major storm today so that your roses can continue to delight you and everyone who visits your garden
ReplyDeleteCarol, May Dreams Gardens
Hi Phillip, your roses are in their prime. I love them all, and how you have blended them to paint the proverbial sea of roses. We have Veilchenblau and Moonlight also, Moonlight is the one my daughter and I chose as the winner of 'if you could have only one rose'. I like to say vell-ken-blaw, especially that last syllable, drawn out slowly. Hope you suffered no damage. We are on the edge of the tornado warning, but so far it looks like just rain for us, much needed.
ReplyDeleteMan, that is a parade. Good lord, what have you been feeding those roses. Please tell me they have been in the ground 20 years so I won't feel like mine are just minuscule.
ReplyDeleteI love the Buff Beauty.
Not only do you have stunning roses (and great pics of them) but you have such a good layout of spaces in which to show them off. I love the framing you've done with trellises and pergolas.
ReplyDeleteOh, to have such roses! They are beautifully photographed and placed in the garden. I can almost smell them.
ReplyDeleteI know your frustration...living in Nashville and having nothing but torrential rains that pelt the life out of every Iris, Daisy and Rose is tiring!
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely Phillip, really spectacular...Oh to grow such beauties! You have a gift.
gail
Phillip, stumbled on your site accidentally...what a pleasant surprise. I am a new Old Garden Rose enthusiast. Actually I work in Florence AL and live just outside Iron City TN. I may bombard you with questions. Your garden is what I aspire to.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful roses! My grandmother had a hybrid musk that for some reason, we called Wild Rose.
ReplyDeleteAiyana
Hey Phillip! The photos of your garden are as always - ASTONISHING! What I found quite humorous though was the fat, white cat perched in the lower right corner of one of the photogs. He has a funny expression on his face almost as if he's angry at being in the shot. LOL... I find humor in small things and you know what they say? Those with small minds are easily amused ;0)
ReplyDeleteThe roses and their structures are just wonderful, Phillip, and the post you wrote about rose growing is a keeper.
ReplyDeleteWho could ever get tired of Buff Beauty!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Your flowers are beautiful. You truly have a green thumb
ReplyDeleteHi Phillip,
ReplyDeleteDo you remember that garden series by Audrey Hepburn? There was an episode on roses, and I am reminded of those gardens when I see yours; it is beautiful. Speaking of beauties, who is that white cat in the corner?
best,
Great post.
ReplyDeletei so love your roses....when my roses start to grow together they get leggy....what am i doing wrong? i'll see if i can find a good picture & send it to you...
ReplyDelete