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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 ...

A warm December weekend

It is December, right? Gorgeous weekend with temperatures in the lower 70s. I took some photos yesterday, did a few chores and changed into a T-shirt before heading to my mother's house in Franklin County. Here are some shots from the garden on December 2.


Armandii clematis over the front gate
Alabama Snow Wreath (Neviusia alabamensis), one of my favorite shrubs for fall color



Camellia "Snow Flurry"

Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena), already bitten by frost, against a backdrop of ornamental grass
Camellia "Pink Icicle" with Kerria in the background
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Rose "Mutabalis"

Rose "Mrs. B.R. Cant"
Mohawk Viburnum with Holly "O'Spring" in the back
Kerria japonica
Camellia "Debutante"
Witch Hazel "Diane"

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Phillip,
    Debutante is on my list of must have Camellias! I've tried to root my neighbor's several time and it was not successful. Of course as slow as they grow I should just buy one with some size on it. :0)

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  2. Beautiful garden shots, Phillip. I envy you the camellias -- don't think they would make it here. And you still have some lovely color! I just discovered a little patch of wild asters which was a treat because everything else looks pretty sad right about now!

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  3. Wow...you still have so much great fall color! Love the pairing of the Alabama Snow Wreath with the Oakleaf Hydrangea...just perfection...an the Gomphrena against the Grass...magic :-)

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  4. It is obscenely warm here too. Lower 60's. If we hadn't had so many frosts and freezes last month our gardens would look very similar. We better enjoy this warmer weather while we have it. :) Good to see your garden looking so perky this time of year. That camellia is gorgeous.

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  5. You make a gloomy autumn day absolutely gorgeous.

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  6. I don't know Phillip what time of the year it is. Calendar says one thing and temps another. Leaves falling out of the trees in droves and had to have the yard guy back out today to get them all up. A/C running night and day. Typical down south Christmas I guess. Merry merry to you guys. Carol

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  7. Stunning photos.Camellias are just starting to bloom,here in Florida.

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  8. Very attractive property... thanks for sharing... Larry

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  9. Thanks for posting the picture of 'Debutante'! We have one off our back steps, and I've always been curious about its name. I love its tightly packed petals.

    Your fall garden is glorious.

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  10. Same here in NW Arkansas. 78 degrees today! Your garden still looks great.

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  11. Gorgeous as always Phillip! I'm also fond of the Alabama Snow Wreath/Oakleaf Hydrangea combo and your camellias are stunning!

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  12. Your camellias are gorgeous, but so is all the changing foliage colors. That Alabama Snow Wreath is fabulous. I, too, have to remind myself that it's December - feels much more like October!

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  13. Awesome colors still this late in the season. Camellias look great!

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  14. Phillip, you have fantastic fall colors in your garden! I love your camellias, especially the white one. Can't wait for mine to start to bloom as well.
    Christina

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  15. I love how the arbor with clematis frames your house. We are also having a lovely late fall season.

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  16. Phillip, Beautiful late fall color in your garden. I just planted Alabama Snow Wreath earlier this year and it's a wonderful flowering shrub. I think it needs an Oakleaf or two to make it shine!

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