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 ...
So nice to get some new blooms to keep the garden going late in the season.
ReplyDeleteI can not say enough nice things about my 'Orange Peel'. It began blooming in May and has not stopped yet. It even got pruned by a car, and you would not know it today.
ReplyDeleteHow I wish the 'golden jasmine' would bloom in the northeast!
ReplyDeleteThe blue chip buddleia is so pretty. I had that once. It didn't like it here for some reason.
ReplyDeleteVery nice. Are you going to root any of them over the winter?
ReplyDeleteMy apple trees are blooming. Lovely blooms.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love the wide variety of critters attracted by your buddleia? Mine has become quite the attraction!
ReplyDeleteLove checking out your buddleiia with such a variance in size and color.
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