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 ...
Your photos depict one of the main reasons I like gardening: instant gratification. What a transformation. I bet you'll sleep well tonight.
ReplyDeleteI prefer pinestraw...it's the most attractive of the natural mulches...gives a garden a finished appearance. Yours looks wonderful. gail
ReplyDeleteI thought I was over pine straw and tried the lovely "long-lasting" black mulch. It looked great for a day, LOVED it against the green plants, but when the rains came- it went. Everywhere. Back to the trusty pinestraw (and termite resistant! Important since we've found several of the blasted critters around).
ReplyDeleteWhat a great day! I was almost tempted to try to plant a few more pansies but I fear the window has closed.
That's a lot of mulch. I was worried about the pH but since it's not a problem, it seems like a good choice for mulch.
ReplyDeleteOh to be gardening in December, Phillip! The smell of pine is still one of my favorite childhood memories.
ReplyDeleteAt the garden center where I work I re-discovered cotton burr compost which Annie of the Transplantable Rose revealed was a Texas product. You can use it as a mulch but in addition to that, it actually aids in healing sick plants.
It's not that easy to find in Chicago as only select garden centers carry it. I just add a layer every winter and allow it to decompose.
Note to self: Do not covet the contents of thy blogging friend's truck, do not covet the contents of thy blogging friend's truck...
ReplyDeleteMeant to add, I haven't noticed any change to my soil's ph with this mulch--it breaks down very slowly and loses acidity as it does.
ReplyDeleteHere I'm raking up all my pine needles and I guess I should be leaving them :) Your garden looks all ready for winter now!
ReplyDeleteLovely light in your last photo Phillip. Gee I thought when adding pine needles beneath my Viburnums I was helping make it more acidic for them. I am so envious seeing your green world... Well we do have Hemlocks and Pines. All else is covered in thick layers of glazed and icy snow. Your garden looks lovely! Happy Solstice. Carol
ReplyDeleteLike Monica, I am also very envious of your mulch, and the time to work outside! And the truck itself! Your garden looks wonderful, Phillip, so lush and green. Your plantings are suberb, so well thought out. I do hope to see it in person someday. :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
Pine straw is my favorite mulch as well and is quite abundant here. My neighbors are nice enough to rake it into clear plastic bags then put it on the curb. Somehow in the early morning hours there are fewer bags for the trash collector. Now that their chow has moved on, the bags come without surprises.
ReplyDeleteHow neat and tidy this looks. Don't you feel just great getting out there to get something accomplished?!! Love that pine straw. I miss our pine trees so much.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is so beautiful. I'm sure it will look fantastic for the holidays.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!
Cameron
I like pine mulch too. Your garden looks great after adding that mulch. It's amazing what a difference a little mulch makes! Which reminds me, I need to do the same thing.
ReplyDeleteI used to not like pine straw mulch, but now I use it quite a bit. And now you're making me feel like I need to get out and do some cleanup work.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great. Wish it was more available in my area. I settle for ground up leaves and they often don't even last one season.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Isn't it amazing how great mulch can make a garden look. I wish we had the availability of more pine straw, but Oklahoma doesn't have many pine trees. The temperature here goes up and down, but I'm too busy doing the "Christmas Mom" thing, so that I only gaze at the garden in longing. Thanks for giving me a virtual lift.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteWhen I first moved to Louisiana I admit I wasn't a fan of pine straw. The little bed at our house had pine straw and weeds and it was hard to pull the weeds through the straw. But after de-weeding and putting a fatter layer on we had one of those typical Louisiana downpours. You are so right - the straw stays where it is. And it's easily renewable. I'm a fan now! Seeing your beds I realize I need to be doing the same thing!
ReplyDeleteLooks great. I like the pinestraw too. I've got to find someone here to get it from. I have everything but pine trees.
ReplyDeleteWishing you all a blessed holiday and Merry Christmas.
Your lady looks all gussied up for the Christmas party with her new bed of straw.....Have a great Christmas!
ReplyDeleteYour camellia walk is lovely. I, too, like to use pine straw. I think we use about 100 bales each year. It really makes the place look nicer and cuts down on weed growth. You have earned some rest now - enjoy the holidays!
ReplyDeleteWe exclusively use pine straw for mulch - it's what I grew up with! Plus, wood bark mulch is not good if you live in a wooden house in an area with termites.
ReplyDelete