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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 ...
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Mid-November blooms

I'm a little late for Gardener's Bloom Day!

The sasanqua camellias are blooming -

'Hana Jiman'



'Snow Flurry'



'Bonanza'



Mexican Sage (Salvia leucantha)



The colorful foliage of Sweet Shrub (Calycanthus floridus)



Hyacinth Bean



Mums



Red Maple



Lespedeza



The brilliant crimson leaves of a pear tree hover over a group of hydrangeas



This is Scudder, a new addition to the family. He appeared as a stray and has been around for the past several weeks. He was on top of the garden wall today.



And here is the real Queen of the Roost - Isabella. She is fifteen years old and she's not too keen on Scudder.

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  1. LostRosesNovember 17, 2007 at 11:15 PM

    Well it was worth the wait, Phillip. Camellias and fall foliage all in one post, very nice. Hope the kitties get used to one another!

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  2. Carol MichelNovember 18, 2007 at 2:23 AM

    Late is just fine when you bring us camellias like those! Thanks for joining in with bloom day,

    Carol, May Dreams Gardens

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  3. lisaNovember 19, 2007 at 7:48 AM

    Nice post! I take it you aren't in the "drought zone"?

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  4. Phillip OliverNovember 19, 2007 at 7:54 AM

    Lisa, we have had a terrible drought this year! We did get a good rain a few weeks ago. The last I heard, we are about 17 inches under average.

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  5. Annie in AustinNovember 19, 2007 at 11:39 AM

    Oh, Phillip - I should be happy just to have my two camellias live at all in my alkaline soil, but I would so love a delicate looking flower like that 'Hana Jiman'. Any camellias I've seen around Austin are the rosier tones.

    You have a post filled with lovely blooms, and your photographs are perfect - yes, definitely worth the wait!

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

    PS You and Isabella have such royal names - why'd the new guy get stuck with 'Scudder'? Are you a Heinlein fan?

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  6. Phillip OliverNovember 19, 2007 at 5:16 PM

    Annie, I'm not familiar with Heinlein's Scudder. I got the name from "Maurice" by E.M. Forster (and the movie is a favorite of mine). The character of Scudder is a gardener. I've always to name a cat that.

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  7. Annie in AustinNovember 19, 2007 at 7:11 PM

    Ah, Phillip - that makes much more sense! Heinlein's character of that name was not a nice guy.

    Annie

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  8. AnonymousNovember 21, 2007 at 7:58 PM

    Terrific photos, Phillip; the hyacinth bean, in particular, is so dramatic. And how interesting to see the clear yellow leaf color on the lespedeza. I didn't realize the plant did that. Thanks for sharing your garden!

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