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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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Last blooms


The growing season is drawing to a close here in north Alabama. The temperatures have been dipping near the freezing mark all week and a frost is sure to come this week. Yesterday seemed like a January or February day with dark skies, wind and rain. Heavy black clouds made me think that it could snow.

Today though was sunny but cold. We took advantage of the day to get the leaves up (we are amazed at how many there are), put away the fountain pumps and disconnect the urn fountain. A few flowers and bright autumn colors are still lingering -

A shasta daisy (above) still looks fresh, oblivious of the cold weather.

Hydrange blooms can take on interesting hues in cooler temperatures. This is "Charm" and "Blushing Bride" -




The leaves of the oakleaf hydrangea are always spectacular in the fall months -



The Japanese maples are still beautiful. I don't know the name of this one. It is only about two feet tall.



This aster, named for garden designer Ryan Gainey, wasn't as pretty as it usually it this year. The color was all washed out and the blooms were somewhat puny.



There are other flowers, like roses, salvia and camellias that are blooming but I didn't have time to photograph them but most of those were featured in last month's bloom day post.
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  1. AnonymousNovember 17, 2008 at 3:39 AM

    The Japanese magnolia is stunning. We, too, have been having cooler than normal temperatures but no freezing yet. Just like your aster, I have had a few plants that did not do as well as in years past. I think it was the drought.

    Jan
    Always Growng

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  2. Sweet Home and Garden CarolinaNovember 17, 2008 at 3:53 AM

    I love the color of the Oakleaf hydrangeas in the Fall. That Japanese maple looks like 'Crimson Queen' to me because of the intensity of the red color.

    We've not had a hard freeze yet either but we did have some snow showers yesterday.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lisa at GreenbowNovember 17, 2008 at 4:11 AM

    Isn't it amazing how the Japanese Maple leaves are usually the last to come down. They are such tough little characters and so beautiful.

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  4. Roses and LilacsNovember 17, 2008 at 5:47 AM

    I remember northern Alabama's wonderful, long autumns. Enjoyed seeing your photos.
    Marnie

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  5. F CameronNovember 17, 2008 at 6:35 AM

    I love hydgrangeas so much and miss growing them here in deer country. Your photos are just stunning, so I thank you for sharing.

    Winter is coming, isn't it?

    Cameron

    ReplyDelete
  6. tinaNovember 17, 2008 at 6:47 AM

    Phillip, Is that shasta a 'Darling' cultivar? I am wondering because mine has been blooming non stop since I got it this summer. The others are not blooming. Those asters are special.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Phillip OliverNovember 17, 2008 at 7:17 AM

    Carolyn, thanks for giving me that name. I will look it up and compare.

    Tina, I'm not sure what cultivar the shasta daisy is. They seem to blooming better now that they did during the summer.

    ReplyDelete
  8. RandyNovember 17, 2008 at 7:26 AM

    Phillip,
    Wonderful pictures, as usual. I love the hydrangeas.-Randy

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  9. CosmoNovember 17, 2008 at 8:02 AM

    Hey, Phillip--Beautiful pictures as always. You're lucky to have hydrangeas still in bloom, though you're right about the oakleaf--it's as lovely in the fall as it is in the summer. We had our first frost last night--very light, but the morning landscape is starting to look wintry.

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousNovember 17, 2008 at 8:35 AM

    Hi Phillip, what a fabulous shot of the daisy, love it! And blushing bride is so delightful, must look for that one. I know the leaves are a big job to pick up, but they break down into the most wonderful stuff for the gardens. Good exercise too. :-) Love the maple.
    Frances

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  11. ConsciousGardenerNovember 17, 2008 at 9:11 AM

    First visit to Dirt Therapy! Beautiful blog, made me wish for
    rain...everything seemed so rich and saturated with color.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Phillip OliverNovember 17, 2008 at 1:08 PM

    Thanks for visiting - do come again!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Philip BewleyNovember 17, 2008 at 2:01 PM

    Hi!
    The oakleaf hydrangea looks beautiful, as do all shown in your photos.
    Regards,
    Philip

    ReplyDelete
  14. GailNovember 17, 2008 at 3:09 PM

    Lovely Phillip! The Japanese maple must make quite a statement at under 2 foot tall! I love the dissected leaves. It is always a joy to have blooms this late but when the cold hits it is even more shocking! Enjoy them...we can't hold the cold back much longer!

    Gail

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