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Rose Pruning Again

Late February to early March is the time for the major pruning of roses. Back in December, I did a preliminary pruning , now is the time for the last major pruning before the spring season begins.  First, a comment on hybrid tea roses. This is what most people have in their gardens. I only have a few hybrid tea roses. These are the roses that need the most drastic pruning. Basically, you cut all the canes down to about 1 foot, making the cuts right above an outward-facing bud. The result will be something like this -  Most of my roses fall into the shrub and climbing categories. These roses are pruned differently and not as severe as the hybrid teas. For shrub roses (and many of the David Austin English roses fall into this category), I first take out the older canes completely to the ground. The older canes are easy to spot - they will be thicker and darker in color. After thinning out the older canes, I remove any canes that are damaged, crossing one another and canes that ...

Still hanging on - Euphorbia "Diamond Frost"



This tough little annual is still going strong after two light frosts. It is now a "must have" on my annual list. It blooms non-stop and looks great in containers.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Yes, this is a must for me too. I have three containers full of it. Some people grow it in the shade, mine is in full Florida sun and does great. I am trying to over winter one of them.

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  2. I also can't say enough good things about it, except I wish it came in another color. The first time I saw them was planted with Poinsettias, it was a nice combo.

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  3. My "Diamond Frost" is still going strong as well - one in a hanging basket and the other in a large container with geraniums - which are also still going strong. Maybe I'll try bringing it inside to over winter.

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  4. It is a marvelous plant. I use it every year. The one with the dark leaves does as well plus you have the darker leaves.

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  5. I have not tried this although I see it in lots of my gardening mags. I am always for a tough plant. It's on my list!

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  6. Phillip, I have to get this plant into my garden~It's stellar. gail

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  7. It is amazing. Have two friends who have a garden on James Island used in sweeps in a gray-white-blue garden. It always looks like mist rising early morning!

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