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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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Bouquet for a friend

Yesterday we took a bouquet of flowers to a friend of ours who just had knee surgery. I picked the flowers and Michael put them together. These are daffodils, hellebores, star magnolia and Harry Lauder's walking stick.

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  1. UnknownFebruary 22, 2009 at 10:53 AM

    How lucky you are to have such beautiful things growing in your garden, and to be able to share them with your friend. How lucky your friend is to be the recipient!

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2009 at 12:05 PM

    Somebody has some SERIOUS talent. That bouquet is beautiful. Love the wisps of the HL walking stick. Only a gifted eye would know to use them to such good effect.

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  3. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2009 at 1:11 PM

    Looks like it says cheer up in the most special way. Happy Sunday to ya'll.

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  4. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2009 at 1:34 PM

    Hi Phillip, how cheering a bouquet and how sweet of you to offer flowers from your garden. Those are way more special than purchased ones. Daffodils are one of the only flowers I will cut to bring inside, if bad weather is predicted to ruin the petals. I do hope your friend has a fast and full recovery.
    Frances

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  5. F CameronFebruary 22, 2009 at 1:53 PM

    Beautiful bouquet -- so cheerful and nicely arranged.

    Cameron

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  6. GailFebruary 22, 2009 at 2:33 PM

    Really lovely and a kindness I am sure was much appreciated....Michael did a great job with the arrangement. Gail

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  7. Chandramouli SFebruary 23, 2009 at 3:36 AM

    That's beautiful Phillip! The bouquet looks unique - not the usual roses and gerberas! Awesome.

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  8. Roses and LilacsFebruary 23, 2009 at 7:17 AM

    That would cheer anyone up. How beautiful!
    Marnie

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  9. Monica the Garden FaerieFebruary 23, 2009 at 1:54 PM

    Love the walking stick, it's a great addition to the bouquet!

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  10. JonFebruary 23, 2009 at 11:19 PM

    Now that beautiful arrangement would cheer up even a dead man walking. I hope your friend "got" the neat symbolism of your HL Walking Stick sprigs with the knee surgery. BTW, do you have good luck rooting HL cuttings?

    Jon at Mississippi Garden

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  11. WayneFebruary 24, 2009 at 3:49 AM

    A beautiful bouquet!

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  12. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2009 at 4:19 AM

    So much in bloom in your garden in February! Your friend was immediately cheered, I am sure, by that bounty of beauty from your garden. Very creative.

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  13. Sweet Home and Garden CarolinaFebruary 24, 2009 at 5:03 AM

    I'm not feeling so well , Phillip and could a real picker upper like those beautiful flowers from your garden :-)

    That arrangement would make a great subject for a painting.

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  14. Phillip OliverFebruary 24, 2009 at 8:35 AM

    Carolyn, I hope you get better soon!

    Jon, I never made that connection!

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  15. SusanFebruary 24, 2009 at 11:04 AM

    What a lovely bouquet.I am sure that they made your friend feel much better.

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  16. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2009 at 5:18 PM

    You're so lucky to have so much blooming to actually be able to make such a full arrangement. I'd make one too but my one blooming hellebore stem would look lonely in a big ole vase! I guess I expect too much from a 3 year old garden. thanks for brightening my day with your bouquet.

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  17. Kylee BaumleFebruary 25, 2009 at 12:31 PM

    Are those hellebores I see? I'm so jealous! Mine have just not performed well over the last few years, in spite of organic amendments. That's a beautiful arrangement. I've got two Harry Lauder's and love their quirky twists and turns.

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  18. Kylee BaumleFebruary 25, 2009 at 12:31 PM

    Are those hellebores I see? I'm so jealous! Mine have just not performed well over the last few years, in spite of organic amendments. That's a beautiful arrangement. I've got two Harry Lauder's and love their quirky twists and turns.

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  19. KC MO Garden GuyFebruary 26, 2009 at 8:14 AM

    Our spring bulbs are just an inch or two out of the ground. Looks like you are about a month a head of us. I can't wait!!
    Beautiful flower for a lucky friend!!

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  20. Lisa at GreenbowMarch 2, 2009 at 5:14 AM

    Anyone would be delighted to receive this bouquet, just lovely. Your header photo looks so springy.

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