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 ...
I'm impressed by all the green, Phillip. My garden looks quite parched, despite my attempts to keep it watered.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree about August. Not a good month. I am going to be happy to see it go. I am so looking forward to any rain that Issac decides to grace us with. We need every inch. Your garden is getting that early fall look to it with leaves coming down and blooms drying up. Our garden looks like that too. The Ash Tree is raining ash seeds all over the garden. I hate that. I will be pulling ash saplings out by the hundreds next spring. What is a person to do?? Just grin and bear it.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind August, but I am a heat lover. It does however, make we want to take a machete to the garden to cut back all the rampant growth.
ReplyDeleteYes, three cheers for no more August... though as you say, it has been definitely more tolerable than usual. Here it's actually been raining a lot for the past few weeks, so I can't even complain there. But fall is absolutely the nicest time in the South, IMHO.
ReplyDeleteIts funny how a few hundred or so miles closer to the equator can effect how one feels about summer. When I lived in the NE I would always get a little depressed come this time of year because the true cold was less than 8 weeks away. Now, I barely remember what true cold feels like, but July and August certain remind me how awful they are every year! Almost enough to yearn for true cold. No, nevermind, thats a lie.
Phillip, the fact that your garden looks so good at the end of august speaks to your skills as both a designer and Gardener.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of a beautiful garden.
Absolutely beautiful gardens! Someday, I want gardens just like yours - so nicely incorporated with the natural landscape. What is the tree (shrub?) with the white edging on the leaves - stunning contrast to the greenery. Love your stone paths and rock work, too!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathy! That is Kousa Dogwood "Wolf's Eyes".
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderfully lush there! Here in the PNW we are in the middle of our always dry summer season, and my garden is looking tired too. Like you, I am sick of dragging the hose around.
ReplyDeleteYour garden still looks fabulous to me...all those stunning Hydrangeas!
ReplyDeleteI too am not sorry to see August go. By this time of year I'm really tired of working in the heat!
ReplyDeleteI understand how you feel, Phillip. I hate August too and I am tired of the heat. Your place still looks real good. I usually try to have all gardening chores done by August, but the older I get the slower I move and have ended up working more this August than usual. I am ready for fall and the sooner the better. Take care. Carol
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks fabulous, Phillip! You obviously had a more temperate August than most of us did. Even though it's been so hot, I'm always reluctant to let summer go.
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and am so excited! Your photos are superb! Thanks so much for sharing your gardens with us.
ReplyDeleteAbout August, we too have grown tired of it, great that it is now 2 Sep when I found your post (hee, hee).
Gonna go pick some 'maters. Hope to keep in touch!
I just found your blog and am so excited! Your photos are superb! Thanks so much for sharing your gardens with us.
ReplyDeleteAbout August, we too have grown tired of it, great that it is now 2 Sep when I found your post (hee, hee).
Gonna go pick some 'maters. Hope to keep in touch!
Seems like I've also had an invisible umbrella over my house. Yesterday I helped decorate the Coondog Cemetary for the Labor Day celebration and we had to use a chisel and a hammer to make holes beside the headstones for the flowers on the grave. A butterfly was flying to each silk flower trying to find nectar. Battery went dead on my camera and I wasn't able to get a picture. Water puddled on Woodmont Drive less than a quarter mile away. When I got home nothing. I did get 1.42 this afternoon plus a tornado warning.
ReplyDeleteIf this is what your garden looks like when it's tired, that explains why it's so gorgeous when it's refreshed! So beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI love these views of your garden! I especially like the stone wall and the variegated dogwood. I agree this August was milder than our more typical August, but I am happy to see September arrive. We have had plenty of rain the last couple of days. I spent this morning planting, despite the drizzle, which eventually turned into a downpour. I hope you got some too.
ReplyDeleteI just love the garden and all the detail into it. Wow! I am just mesmerize. Now, I am very inspired for the new season. We better welcome September and the new season. Check my page at http://www.CheapSheds.com.au/ .
ReplyDeleteIf only my August looked that green!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful and refreshing series of photos.
ReplyDeleteLovely series of shots from your garden.
ReplyDelete