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 ...
Very pretty. At least it is a managable snow, one you can get around in. A white Christmas is always a bit magical! Merry Christmas...came by for the chocolate banana bread and may stay.
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ReplyDeleteWow, now I am jealous. A white Christmas. All you needed was Bing and the crowd throwing open the doors of the lodge to make it complete...
ReplyDeleteYour white Christmas looks beautiful, Phillip - what a nice view! We had nearly an inch of rain yesterday which was a very good Christmas present for dry Austin.
ReplyDeleteI heard the birdseed price rise has something to do with the drought in Russia and increasing speculation in the seed/grain market - no doubt spoiling the birdwatching fun for a lot of people.
Hope 2011 is good to you & yours!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
We're getting snow now (in NC). Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like your dwarf mondo grass has completely filled in the area where you planted it a year or two ago. I'm envious. Mine is still creeping. What's your secret? Do you fertilize?
How's that for Christmas magic?! Beautiful photos. The cost of bird seed is insane! The more we buy the more it will go up.....geez.
ReplyDeleteJust enough snow to make everything beautiful and sparkling.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas.
We had our first white christmas since 2004. It was so pretty. Your garden looks beautiful with a coating of sugar. I hope you and Michael had the Merriest Christmas.
ReplyDeleteAtlanta got it a couple of hours after you, but it's still snowing "to beat the band" at 9:30 PM...it's an extra treat that people have Sunday to enjoy it, as well! Have a magical remainder of the holiday!
ReplyDeleteWhat??!! I didn't get nearly as much "frosting" as y'all did...and I'm further north. What gives? Beautiful pics. Makes the barren gardenscape a place of enchantment huh?
ReplyDeleteSnow is pretty, especially if you don't get it all winter! :-)
ReplyDeleteDrop by and see our 20 or so snowflakes we received today....
ReplyDeleteJoyous Christmas Phillip! Your gardens are so lovely dressed in white! Beautiful! We are finally getting some snow here too.
ReplyDeletePhillip,
ReplyDeleteLooks like you got a very heavy dusting at least. I was thinking birdseed was cheap this year? I picked up 20# of black oiled sunflower seed for $8 at Southern States just before Christmas.ies
The snow has certainly hit the south this year, Phillip. It looks so nice in your garden, too. I noticed you (like me) allow your plants to remain uncut to provide winter interest. Not only is this aesthetically beautiful, might it also provide extra food for your avian friends? I haven't been keeping up with the price of birdseed as this year, my husband has continued to keep us stocked up. I think he has developed my addiction;-)
ReplyDeleteIt was still dark when Mom & I left Tuscumbia Christmas morning for Callaway Gardens. We received snow that night while riding through the garden lights on the open trolley. Today things still white today. We wimped out & did the drive through tonight. Will post some of the pictures on my blog when we get back.
ReplyDeleteI only feed black oil sunflower seeds. I buy it by the 50lb bags at the Coop.
ReplyDeleteI hope your Christmas was wonderful Phillip~Happy New Year to you and Michael, xxgail ps The snow was a sweet surprise~just enough and no more. gail
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! We just had flurries for Christmas but a frosty world Sunday.
ReplyDeleteJill, thanks for visiting!
ReplyDeleteAnnie, I had not heard that before. I hope Russia gets more rain this year!
C.C., actually it hasn't filled in that thickly. I guess the snow makes it look that way.
Phillip, Great photos of your garden in white! What a joy to have a Christmas snow in Alabama. We were in Nashville and enjoyed an inch or two there. Happy New Year!
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