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 ...
They are so lovely, Phillip. One good use for them is to mark where tulips and other larger bulbs are planted in the fall, since their foliage is persistent all winter, you will know where to look for the emerging tips. They seems to like to be spread thinly, filling in to become large clumps quickly. I think they even seed about. And that color!
ReplyDeleteFrances at Faire Garden
I've got a good swath of them that make a nice purple path in the spring. They were at their best the first year and less impressive each following year. I remember seeing them first at Keukenhof in Holland, a big purple explosion of color and that's what I wanted too.
ReplyDeleteThere were some grape hyacinths planted along the back fence when we came - languishing in the shade and roots of the big pecan - I'm ashamed to admit they've mostly been ignored!
ReplyDeletePhillip, your post has made me decide to dig some of them up and move them to a better location to see if it improves the bloom.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
That is very pretty! It inspires me to plant them in masses.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite bulbs, along with the blue Scilla. I love the fact that it spreads as well. I'm trying to fill my entire lawn with them this year.
ReplyDeleteI agree---they're too short to be appreciated properly. You have to lie on your belly just to enjoy their fragrance. They are pretty from a bug's-eye view though.
ReplyDeleteI put a few in pots and hanging baskets where I can enjoy the scent too.
ReplyDeleteIt was love at first sight when I saw my first grape hyacinth. I truly love this little plant. I have a few that randomly pop up around my yard, and I always say that I'm going to do a few more. Maybe this fall I will.
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