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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 ...

A touch of the whimsical

This month's topic at Gardening Gone Wild is whimsey and I have to say, I almost skipped it because I don't feel that there is a great deal of whimsey in our garden. I've been running across things though and I would think, "That might be considered whimsical" and decided to join in. Some of these objects probably don't fit the category at all but I threw them in for good measure. For a better look at things whimsical, check out some of the links on the GGW blog.

First of all, I'm a huge fan of statuary, plaques, ornaments, birdfeeders, wind chimes, you name it. A few years ago, during a trip to Mentone, Alabama, we found a wonderful little shop that sold unique handmade items. This wind chime is made with forks and spoons - perfect for the vegetable garden, no?




They also had these cute little things made from broom handles



I did a presentation on hydrangeas for the Master Gardener's a few years ago and this is what they gave me. I believe this was made by an Alabama artist.



Our garage wall is adorned with plaques from our various trips and vacations.



More bric a brac on the garden wall



The chandelier that I discussed in an earlier post



On a similar note



Wind chimes again. A good thing to know - Target carries Smith and Hawken merchandise!



Cute little bunny hiding in the ivy



I love faces!








I have an affinity for Pan and the mythological story. Plus he's such a sexy dude.







You better believe it!

Comments

  1. Looks fantastically whimsical to me:). Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Phillip,
    Everything looks great!I'm not really a whimsical person when it comes to the garden either. Our mermaid it probably the only thing we have right now. I think my favorite is the chubby little Pan. I can't wait to visit and see it all in person.

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  3. I love your whimsical touches! Chandeliers just belong in some gardens and yours are fun. There are too many favorites but I will tell you O love your purple wall and think it is not only whimsical but artistic.gail

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  4. I love your garden art, especially the cups and silverware. Our windchimes aren't moving much today--the atmosphere is downright soupy--but I imagined a breeze coaxing music from yours and I flet a little cooler. Beautiful stuff, Phillip.

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  5. I love your whimsy!
    Looks really tastefully placed...

    Noticed elsewhere you are in the market for a new Rain Gauge. They have nice (inexpensive) Rain Gauges at Cracker Barrel. You may want to check there for one…

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  6. You appear to have lots of whimsy in your garden. I really like the Pans. I like faces in the garden too.

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  7. Hi Phillip, you have loads of whimsy it looks like to me. I love the display on your garage, I also love the garage itself, complete with window box. Your wall is magnificent, you have decorated it well. It all fits in with your mystical garden, dripping with flowers and foliage. I would love to see your garden someday, but for now, keep posting lots of pics!

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  8. I like the bird house. That is high comedy. Want one!

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  9. Phillip, I really love your garden! Randy and I were just talking the other day about how jealous of you guys that we are... we need more property! LOL... We would seriously be dead broke if we did though... for real... Anyways, looking forward to seeing you guys in a few weeks...

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  10. You have TONS of whimsy in your garden. Love the garden wall and rusty flower you were gifted.

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  11. What a fantastic garden. Whimsical is definitely a great word to describe it. LOVE the garden wall photo.

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  12. LOL - I have no clue why you thought you didn't have any whimsy in the garden! It's wonderful. I LOVE the silverware windchimes & the chandeliers. (I almost bought that Smith & Hawkin watering can windchime.)

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  13. The chandelier looks great in your garden, Phillip - this is such artistic whimsy!

    Maybe one reason you can integrate such a large number of interesting items within your design is that your shrubs and trees and plants aren't little saplings and bundles of twigs and starter perennials....your plants have substance and lush volume, so the ornamentation doesn't overpower the plants but adds fun to the scene. I can't do it, but I can admire it!

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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  14. Love your face planter and you reminded me I forgot about the bird house and the wind chimes for the whimsy post...oh and the bench...what you miss when you see it every day!

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  15. I think you have tons of whimsy. I'm always so impressed by your gardens..the work you've done is amazing. It's a place I'd like to sit and drink tea in.

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  16. Not much whimsy, hmm, Phillip? It has a way of creeping into just about any personal garden, I suspect, and it's certainly made itself comfortably at home in your space. You have many fun touches, but I think my favorite is the face with the dichondra hair - what a great plant choice!

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  17. I really enjoy reading your blog and the garden art is so well placed. I especially like the wind chimes. You most certainly have a green thumb!

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  18. A couple of years ago I attended a lecture given by the well-known plant hunter and nurseryman, Dan Hinkley, in southern CT, a rather uptight, straightlaced area if ever there was one. His last slide was of a little ornamental garden sign which read 'Every time you plant a flower, a fairy is born'. He ended his lecture with the words "And if you think we don't have an agenda, then think again."
    It was all the more hilarious for being totally unexpected.

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  19. Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
    Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!

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  20. What lovely decorations! It's like a fantasy garden come to life. I wouldn't be surprised if an actual fairy shows up! Have you tried adding a wind spinner in your garden? I think it's adds a nice touch.

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  21. I think its just the right amount of whimsy! I am with you on the pan statues. It was almost what I got, on the top of the list. I also sort of like the faces, though right now the tree trimmers knocked the head off of one of my smaller statues by accident, and it looked so cool I just left it wear it fell. My neighbors think it is creepy :)

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