Skip to main content

Featured

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 ...
Post a Comment
Read more
Labels

Focus on foliage

In my last post, I shared some photos of camellias and other flowers blooming in our late December garden. The flowers are fantastic this time of year but they are by no means the only areas of interest. Evergreen foliage is most welcome in the winter garden. The temperatures have been rather mild thus far and there are still colorful fall leaves hanging on as well.

Chinese Holly "O'Spring" (Ilex cornuta) -  This variegated holly is beautiful at all times of the year. I've seen very large specimens in books and on television but this ones seems to be happy at a diminutive size of less than 4 feet.

Italian Arum (Arum Italicum) is a member of the philodendron family. It does look like a houseplant during the winter months but it is quite hardy. Greenish white spathes (flowers) will appear in May and are pollinated by insects. The foliage then dies and bright orange berries appear in autumn, followed by new leaves and the process starts again. This plant can be invasive in some areas of the country.

 
The vibrant russet leaves of Mohawk Viburnum (Viburnum x burkwoodii  'Mohawk') are
still clinging to the shrub.

The dramatic blades of a Yucca are contrasted with the branches
from Canadian Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis).

The bright yellow leaves in the lower left are those of Spirea (Spirea japonica 'Goldmound'). Rosemary "Arp", right behind it, stays green all winter. We use it frequently in cooking.


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
Email Post
Labels:

Comments

  1. Lisa at GreenbowDecember 26, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    This winter hasn't been particularly hard on the garden...yet. That holly is gorgeous. I have an Italian Arum but it doesn't have the varigated leaves. It isn't invasive here.

    ReplyDelete
  2. David - Pinewood CottageDecember 26, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    i love the Arum

    ReplyDelete
  3. Pam/DiggingDecember 26, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    Great winter foliage, Phillip. Happy New Year to you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
  4. LarryDecember 27, 2011 at 5:43 AM

    The holly is quite spectacular! Larry

    ReplyDelete
  5. RandyDecember 27, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    Phillip, how's your Winter Daphne doing? I lost one of mine. I need to call Petals and see if they have any.

    ReplyDelete
  6. LesDecember 27, 2011 at 2:52 PM

    I am glad I am not the only gardener to appreciate O'spring.

    ReplyDelete
  7. JessDecember 27, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    Merry Late Christmas Phillip! We too are having a nearly summer like end of year and since my year 'begins' early February... yet everything is still alive now, I'm starting to wonder what to do. I mean...the hydrangeas still have all their leaves on them!

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownDecember 27, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    Your winter photos demonstrate how much attention you put into the design of your garden. How wonderful to have that beauty all year!

    ReplyDelete
  9. sweetbayDecember 27, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    Love the color of those viburnum leaves!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anne BoykinDecember 28, 2011 at 12:48 AM

    Happy Holidays, Phillip. I love arum. I've killed it once but maybe I should try again.

    ReplyDelete
  11. serial tillerDecember 28, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    Where did you get your O'Spring? I have not seen a variegated holly locally but would love one!

    ReplyDelete
  12. GardentinaDecember 29, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    I like the rosemary!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Phillip OliverDecember 29, 2011 at 12:05 PM

    Jennifer, I can't remember where I found the holly but I know that it was local. I'll see if I can find it in my gardening journal.

    ReplyDelete
  14. rebeccaDecember 31, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    Love the color of that viburnum.

    ReplyDelete
  15. scottweberpdxJanuary 2, 2012 at 10:54 AM

    I just love all your winter foliage! That Viburnum is stunning...love that rich, sultry coloring!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts