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 ...
Yay, I'm first, do I win? :) I nearly went to Wal-Mart last night and bought one. It's charming.
ReplyDeleteMy hummingbird feeder is broken so I could put this one to good use.
ReplyDeleteI've had two hummers so far this year. They love the catmint.
Your garden photos are an inspiration to me. Love following the progress of the yard transition as I have the exact same issue. My hummers are feasting and fattening up for the long flight back to Mexico.
ReplyDeleteHow nice of you! You don't have to enter me, we don't have any trees big enought to hang it in. :-(--Randy
ReplyDeleteI'm very interested! I've seen several humming birds this year both at my home and the greenhouses that I work in. Most of the feeders look horrible but this one is really nice. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
ReplyDeleteOh, how nice, pick me! pick me!
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend. I would love a feeder like this one.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to Wal-Mart in ages or I would have seen that.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Hummingbirds are fighting over the hosta blooms right now in my garden. It is fun to watch them bicker. They poke holes in some of the larger blooms to get to the nectar.
ReplyDeleteHow nice of you! Our hummingbird feeder recently started leaking terribly, so we had to take it down. This would be a great, attractive replacement!
ReplyDeleteHi Phillip, sometimes Wal-Mart surprises me. Love the feeder. Love your blog more.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteOooh! I've never seen this style feeder at our Walmart!
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm surprised that came from Wal-Mart. It's very pretty.
ReplyDeleteI loved that feeder in your picture the other day, I'd love to hang it here for the visitors we see year round.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo and fun giveaway idea Phillip! The lady that used to live across from us had one but took it when she moved :( So this would be neat to hang on our side of the balcony!
ReplyDeleteThat is really nice of you. who ever wins it will love having it in their garden.
ReplyDeleteLearning about all those roses that grow here in Alabama from your website and getting a chance to win a hummingbird feeder too, thanks......
ReplyDeletePaul
I've been meaning to say how much I enjoy the pictures of your garden (as well as your gardening tips and know-how) and this gives me perfect opportunity to thank you for sharing with all of us... This feeder is very unique looking and would be perfect for all my hummers... I love it!
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely gesture and I love the feeder, but I already have a hummer feeder (so much fun to watch!) so am stepping aside to give others a better chance!
ReplyDeleteMy hummingbirds can never have too many feeders. If I hang them they will come!
ReplyDeleteThe neighborhood hummingbirds have been visiting my gardens this year. They're just amazing to watch. Thanks for the chance to win a lovely feeder for them.
ReplyDeleteLove the name 'avant garden'! What a beautiful feeder, would look great in my window
ReplyDeleteI would love to hang this pretty feeder on my back porch!
ReplyDeletesmchester at gmail dot com
This is one of the nicest humming bird feeders I've seen. I have seen a few hummingbirds in my yard this summer, I would love to have this to feed them with.
ReplyDeleteJust moved to Fort Biggs and no one here in Texas feeds the humming birds! I wanna start....
ReplyDeleteI dont have a hummingbird feeder and havent looked for this one at Walmart yet! I know that there are hummingbirds around because my neighbor has a feeder and they come by! So if I put one up they'd come!
ReplyDeletefrogz60@hotmail.com
this is pretty enough to use in other places mverno@roadrunner.com
ReplyDeletebeautiful feeder--I have hummings !!!
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful! My dd is just getting to the point where she really enjoys watching birds. This would be perfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ceevegnashville [at] gmail [dot] com
What a pretty feeder! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt is Quite Beautiful, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteThis is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI Love hummingbirds :)
I don't have a feeder and I've noticed a few hummingbirds coming around lately.
ReplyDeletemamie316(at)sbcglobal.net
Mine broke and this is definitely a prettier replacement. sharonaquilino(At)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMary
ReplyDeletezenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com
That was very kind of you to pick one up for your readers! It sure is beautiful, and I know a sweet little old lady who would absolutely love to get this:)
PS - your gardens are TRULY BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
It's a cute feeder! Thanks for thinking about us! gail
ReplyDeleteI have ar least a half dozen humming birds fly into my yard on a daily basis. The hummingbird feeder you offer can help nourish them.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely, it looks a hundred years old! Mine is leaking and attracting ants>> I need this. I am going to try to get my husband to go to walmart and get me one>>hope they still have them
ReplyDeleteThank you for a chance to win>> if i do get one, it would be nice to have two!!!
I think I'm going to give away a birdfeeder! 39 comments in 24 hours! Seriously, your garden photos always motivate me to go out and dig in the dirt....one day mine will look like yours......
ReplyDeleteI love it! I have a hummingbird always hanging out in between my yard and the neighbors yard, but I'm vying for it's full time and attention. :) This is the cutest feeder I've seen!
ReplyDeleteWell, you certainly got your readers to comment! But don't include me in your drawing. I have enough flowers to keep the Hummingbirds happy.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win this hummingbird feeder for my husband. He loves feeding the birds. We have so many bird houses and baths. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte
charlottewinters@cox.net
My son absolutely adores hummingbirds :) He can recite all sorts of cool facts. Having one come to this feeder in our backyard would be, well.... "like, totally awesome!"
ReplyDeleteMy local Walmart was all sold out already :(
ReplyDeleteWhen I got up this morning and looked outthe window there was a hummingbird floating in mid air dodging the raindrops. Bet he was lookin for this feeder...actually I think he'd been feating in my honeysuckle.
ReplyDeleteI have hummingbirds hovering outside of my kitchen window but no feeder. It has been hot here so I know that they would be overjoyed if I won such a beautiful one for their refreshment.
ReplyDeleteI love the color of the glass, it is unique to what I have seen.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a beautiful feeder!
ReplyDeletesamsakara@twcny.rr.com
i want a glass feeder to add to my many ones handed down to me. i donthave this one yet. and i dont buy them i let others give them to me
ReplyDeletelove it, it's one of the most unique feeders I've seen! I might have to check out Walmart!
ReplyDeleteThis feeder is beautiful. I would be proud to hang it on my porch.
ReplyDeleteI will buy one on site
ReplyDeleteThat feeder is cute, I have some of the plastic ones from walmart. I would like to hang this one on my window hook
ReplyDeleteI collect bird feeders and this one is adorable! I love hummingbirds and all I have for a feeder is one of the old plastic red ones so I would love to own this one. Thanks, A.Anderson
ReplyDeleteI'm game! This is so nice of you to do this!
ReplyDeletewhat a beauty to add to my garden
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful! I'd love to win it. :)
ReplyDeleteI love my hummers and love watching them fight over the feeders I have out. Only problem is my cat also loves to watch them,sigh! I make my own hummer food and they seem to really love it!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a feeder like this. It is so much prettier than most of them. I love your blogs and watch them regularly.
ReplyDeleteI live in a small space but notice that there are Hummers every day, looking for a "treat". I have a balcony with 10 flower pots on it, and I choose a color scheme every Spring utilizing the railings. My one BIG tree has a perfect branch for a feeder and this one is so beautiful....Would LOVE to win it so the Hummers would LOVE to hang out in my little space..
ReplyDeleteThis feeder is so pretty,and would look great in my backyard with my blooming flowers. The hummers love my butterfly bush,but I would like to see them up close,so I will hang it on the patio, if I win.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty hummingbird feeder.
ReplyDeleteIt would look great in my backyard with all of my blooming flowers.
The hummers seem to like my butterfly bush,but I would like to seem them up closer,so if I win, I will hang it right by my window.
sly the coolest hummingbird feeder I have seen.
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting a hummingbird feeder. This one is so pretty!
ReplyDeletesphinxcw at aol dot com
That's a beautiful feeder, I haven't had a lot of hummingbirds come to mine this year for some reason.
ReplyDeleteHi Phillip,
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice feeder but no good to me as we don't have Hummingbirds.
What an enormous amount of comments you have on this, It's one popular feeder.
I'm sure it'll find a good home
Don't be too sure you don't have hummingbirds. I lived in NC for 11 years and had a hummingbird feeder right outside the kitchen window. They would come by the droves and some days I filled the feeder twice. They were so human acclimated that I could sit right by the window and talk to them and they wouldn't leave. When I moved back north to the Poconos in central PA I figured by days of watching hummingbirds was over but hung a feeder out anyway and lo there they were. Not in the great numbers as in NC but quite a few and they come all summer. Would love to have this one for them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletethis one is actually very charming and not tacky looking like so many! I love it! (comment by bajjmayer@aol.com)
ReplyDeleteWe feed the humming birds, have a feeder right by window so we can watch them.
ReplyDeletelgrieser(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
I haven't seen this at Wal-mart
ReplyDeleteHummingbirds are my favorite, I have several feeders hanging but would love this one, its got a great look
ReplyDeleteI get such joy out of watching my humingbirds. I have even captured a picture of one hovering- his body is still - his wings are a blur - and you can see him sticking out his tongue!! I so love that picture!!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to have a hummingbird feeder again, don't have one at this time.
ReplyDeleteIt's very beautiful. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteannabell_lee_dk (at) yahoo.com
I'd love to have this! My father tried to make a feeder out of a glass bottle earlier this year, and totally screwed it up somehow... it leaked all over the place! haha! I just saw a hummer yesterday, but his feeder was empty. :(
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen that at our local Walmart - and I have been looking for a hummingbird feeder. We just had one visit our kitchen window a week ago and I thought how great it would be to have a feeder there and see them more often
ReplyDeleteI love the Hummingbird Feeder
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for having this
contest.
Cathy Truman
kbtruman@aol.com
What a great hummingbird feeder. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this for my mom. She is a huge bird lover.
ReplyDeletelenz.nicole@gmail
My goodness, am I really the 82nd comment here?? Wow! I did see your post with this lovely feeder when you did it for Wordless Wed and I thought at the time, how pretty it was! I am just now seeing your give-away, so I'm thinking, what the heck...I'll put my name in. I know I could probably go check out Walmart, but hey, it's more fun to have garden blogging friends involved in gifts, right? So, I'm entering. Thanks! PS It looks too gorgeous and intricate for it to be carried by Walmart!
ReplyDeleteThe hummingbirds in my garden would love this beautiful feeder.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the nice giveaway.
Very nice feeder, I would like to add my name to the list I currently have no bird feeders in my yard 0_O. although they are on my list ;).
ReplyDeletereally cute feeder, I have a feeder but for some reason the hummingbirds don't like it, like to get a new one for them
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm.....that would look nice in The Gaudy Garden. Do they make them in salt and pepper shakers?
ReplyDeleteJim
My feeder is still functional (the bottle is fine, but the reservoir is plastic and starting to fail), but this one is prettier!
ReplyDeleteclynsg at yahoo.com
I would sure likt to have this so I can watch them please, thanks.
ReplyDeleteThat's a cool looking feeder. I can't believe how many entries you have!! :-)
ReplyDeleteI have seen this feeder in Wal-Mart and considered buying it for my hummingbirds. I would really love to win this feeder.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great contest! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteCatherine
spotteddog1027@gmail.com
Phillip, I'm laughing 'cos you have 91 comments now 92. Lets try for a 100, ha, ha.
ReplyDeleteSign me up please - I need a hummingbird feeder.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful feeder! Would look great in my garden!! :)
ReplyDeleteWell aren't you sweet! I see that 94 people want that hummingbird feeder! So make me #95
ReplyDeleteI'd love to add this lovely hummingbird feeder to my four seed birdfeeders (and four suet cages). Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteI love hummingbirds and would love to add this to my collection!
ReplyDeleteThis feeder is so cute. If I win, this will be my first feeder, thanks. Nice idea for a giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThat's a really pretty feeder. I could use a new one as mine is plastic.
ReplyDeleteadr1001025[at]msn.com
We have hummingbirds that occasionally flit around our front yard. I should get a feeder to attract them. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net
I would love to win this to give to my Grandmother who loves feeding birds.
ReplyDeletekellierosewilson (@) hotmail.com
Can't wait please add my name to the drawing.
ReplyDeletesue
We live in a bird sanctuary......that would be nice of us to add to the beauty of mother nature.......
ReplyDeleteMy hummingbirds love my agastache's and I'd love to add this to the yard to bring more. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteHow pretty!
ReplyDeleteI would love a hummingbird feeder! I had one a few years ago but it wore out.
ReplyDeletekngmckellar@hotmail.com
I just recently put up a stand to feed the wild birds and have had much success. I would love to add a hummingbird feeder.
ReplyDeleteMy mom would lovethis, please enter me.
ReplyDeleteAmanda
catss99@yahoo.com
This looks great, I love hummingbirds.
ReplyDeleteKaren, civ05@yahoo.com
I have never had a hummingbird feeder and this one is very pretty.
ReplyDeleteerma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net
i would love to win this...i recently started replacing my old cheap plastic feeders..so i would love to have this one
ReplyDeleteI love hummingbirds and would love to win this feeder to replace the feeder that just started leaking. I have about 5 hummingbirds that come around and two feeders.
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun - sign me up! Love your blog - I am learning about roses.
ReplyDeleteI've been looking to add a hummingbird feeder to my backyard.
ReplyDeleteempire90@hotmail.com
Hummingbird counts have been way down in our area this year. Maybe this lovely feeder would entice them!
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty feeder for a pretty bird.
ReplyDeleteWe have lots of hummingbirds that visit our house - I know they would like to have another feeder!
ReplyDeleteehhogan at bellsouth.net
that's a very nice hummingbird feeder, i will give it to my mom if i win, she loves things like that.
ReplyDeletewe have lots of humming birds and all of our feeders are those ugly big red ones. This is so classy and beautiful, why dont they all look like this.
ReplyDeleteJennifer.lleras@gmail.com
What a beautiful feeder! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
ReplyDeletestrycker@slu.edu
The bird feeder is so pretty, thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a pretty feeder. I have not seen a feeder like this. I would love to win.
ReplyDeleteheatherzilla(at)care2(dot)com
That's a beautiful bird feeder!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity.
pinkpintobean at gmail dot com
Wow, its so pretty, thanks for the chance! I really need a new feeder.
ReplyDeleteHotsnotty2@hotmail.com
What a pretty feeder! I'm going to have to check out our Wal-Mart.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
proudyaya04 {at} yahoo {dot} com
Philip,
ReplyDeleteyou have quite the following! Funny, I have you bookmarked, and have been visiting your site, must be close to 5 years now. I very much enjoy all you have shared thus far. Your facebook friend -- Tracey
My mother in law loves hummingbirds. I would love to win this cool feeder for her.
ReplyDeleteI love feeding hummingbirds! It isn't Spring until the hummingbirds return to East Tennessee! I have an old hummingbird feeder but would love this new one and the birds would too! Thanks1 senekers@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteLovely, I am surprised to hear that Walmart carries anything this beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first visit to your blog, at the recommendation of my mother. It will not be my last!
This is such a wonderful alternative to the plastic ones so prevalent. I like it very much.
ReplyDeleteso nice to listen the birds singing/
ReplyDeletethanks,and good luck all
autumnrosen@yaho.com
Oh, I would love to win this for my father! Thanks so much for the fantastic giveaway!
ReplyDeleteluckymegs1981 AT yahoo DOT com
this is a beautiful feeder. my feeder broke and i've been trying to decide what to replace it with.
ReplyDeleteallegro966(at)yahoo(dot)com
These are very beautifully detailed Hummingbird feeders! I just love them. We get hummingbirds here, for most of the year, since it does stay quite hot here, almost year 'round. Until moving here, I never knew that hummingbirds are actually quite territorial, and once they claim your feeder they tend to protect it lol
ReplyDeletethats a cool bird feeder.
ReplyDeleteChristina - xristya@rock.com - What a beautiful hummingbird feeder! So unique!
ReplyDeleteMy mom has hummingbirds around her house, or at least she did when her garden was in better shape. She lost of lot of plants the year she was taking care of my dad with cancer. If I'm the lucky winner, I'll give this to her. She'll love it!
ReplyDeletethe humming birds do not like the feeder I have now, need to get a new one for them
ReplyDeleteYour site is so nice! And this hummingbird feeder is nothing like what we have in our Walmart. :) It'd be a great addition to our yard.
ReplyDeleteOur wal-mart doesn't have this feeder and it's gorgeous! I'd love to hang it out for my hummers once the mimosa blooms start to fade.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great giveaway :)
This is going to look great in my yard.
ReplyDeletemadamerkf at aol dot com
Wow! That is super pretty. I would love to hang this up for the kids.
ReplyDeleteMy mom has always loved her hummingbirds, and even more now that she lives alone. She looks foward to seeing them everyday. I would give this prize to her so her hummingbirds would have more spots to eat, less quarreling.
ReplyDeleteharmonden[at]wowway[dot]com
That would be fantastic. I have seen several hummingbirds this year in my trees outside my window but have no feeder. they must like something in the yard
ReplyDeletegafrank12 at bellsouth dot net
I would love to win this beautiful Hummingbird Feeder. My neighbor has a feeder. She came to my house and a hummingbird came with her. They are so cute. garrettsambo@aol.com
ReplyDeleteThanking you for posting such a wonderful contest. I love birds especially humming birds.
ReplyDelete~ Amy (amyinkamloops *AT* gmail.com)
we feed the humming birds all season lion. this year i will have to get new for next year
ReplyDeleteThis is much prettier than the hummingbird feeders we have up now.
ReplyDeletetlannan30[at]yahoo[dot]com
would love to win the hummingbird feeder con5459(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI love hummingbirds, I could certainly use a new feeder.
ReplyDeletejennifernmoyer@yahoo.com
that one is so pretty. Thank you
ReplyDeletecandieluster(at)gmail(dot)com
This hummingbird feeder is so gorgeous that maybe I'd get to see some of the little guys. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any hummingbirds around my house but maybe with the right feeder I might just attract some.
ReplyDeleteMy moms Bday is Saturday. She would adore this. She is a bird watcher....... : )
ReplyDeleteLaramoor@msn.com
What a lovely bird feeder, I never would have guessed it came from Walmart!
ReplyDeletei love hummingbirds and i collect all hummingbird itmes
ReplyDeletei love hummingbirds and i collect all hummingbird itmes
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOur hummingbirds say, "Thanks 4 the chance 2 win."
ReplyDeletepkbailey@charter.net
That one is so much more lovely and charming than my red plastic feeder. I'd love to win it!
ReplyDeletedoot65[at]comcast{dot}net
I love to feed the birds. Hummingbirds are so pretty and fun to watch.
ReplyDeletemarinelsue@gmail.com
I love humming birds1 I had a few feeders But hurricane Ike Blew them away.
ReplyDeleteI would love this one it is trully very pretty1
zestywonderland@gmail.com
My sister and my daughter now have feeders...........and I shop regularly at WalMart......hope I win!
ReplyDeleteThebigwomanB@aol.com
What a lovely feeder!
ReplyDeletehope to win
ReplyDeleteThis is very pretty.
ReplyDeleteladycat713@yahoo.com
Hummingbirds are great fun to watch.
ReplyDeletencschools at yahoo dot com
My teenage son and I are trying to find things to do together--this sounds like something at least one of us would enjoy! Please add my name. Thank you for the contest!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty hummingbird feeder! I've seen a few hummingbirds around here this summer and I bet they would like to drink out of that. Thanks for having the contest!
ReplyDeleteI would be so happy to win that pretty hummingbird feeder. My little girl got a bird book for her birthday so would love to be able to watch some hummingbirds. thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I'd love to see the occasional hummingbird outside my window...
ReplyDeleteHummingbirds are completely gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeletemzpaw@yahoo.com
I love Hummingbirds I planted $50 in the special flowers...tubular red. and their favorites and they go to the white weeds in the far back yard smile kaysweep@att.net thanks
ReplyDeleteThe hummingbird feeder is lovely. If I don't win I may have to make a trip to Wal-Mart.
ReplyDeleteI feel uplifted and hopeful when I see hummingbirds flitting around the yard!
ReplyDeleteWe have alot of hmmingbirds around
ReplyDeletemy house and I love watching them,
they are so beautiful.I would love to win them a feeder.Thanks for the chance
CharlieGurl57@aol.com
OH cool! I got in just in time. I love it.
ReplyDeleteI see the hummingbirds outside my window every morning. It would be nice to have a feeder.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have come across your blog..
ReplyDeletehttp://theurbanbalcony.blogspot.com