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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 ...
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December bouquet

Another extremely mild weekend with temperatures in the 70s. A change is on the way though with rain coming tomorrow and much colder winter-like temperatures. We need the rain. It has been very dry lately.

I noticed there were lots of roses and camellias blooming right now and picked some yesterday.

 In the bouquet are roses "Mrs. B.R. Cant", "Knockout" and "Mrs. Dudley Cross". The camellias are "Pink Icicle" and "Debutante".

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Gardener on Sherlock StreetDecember 9, 2012 at 1:49 PM

    That is a beautiful bouquet. Enjoy them. I agree with you on the need of rain. We are below freezing today. Cold front rolled through this morning. Have a nice week.

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowDecember 9, 2012 at 2:13 PM

    What a sight for these color starved eyes. Beautiful. It is warmer than usual here but not as warm as your area. We need rain too. Good luck.

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  3. outlawgardenerDecember 9, 2012 at 2:50 PM

    I'd happily give you some of our rain! Beautiful boquet from a magical time in your garden - roses and camellias blooming atthe same time. Sweet.

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  4. sandaDecember 9, 2012 at 5:47 PM

    What a treat - roses in December! They are beautiful.

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  5. HolleyGardenDecember 10, 2012 at 9:14 AM

    Gorgeous! Roses and camellias are my two favorites, and it's so wonderful when they bloom together! I hope you get some much-needed rain.

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  6. RandyDecember 10, 2012 at 12:56 PM

    Just beautiufl Phillip! I'm getting a Debutante. I don't know where it's going, but I'm getting one. LOL My neighbor has two huge ones!

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  7. AnonymousDecember 13, 2012 at 12:30 PM

    Zowie! I was hoping there'd be roses and camellias when I came to visit. How did your grocery shopping trip go btw. I saw you were excited about the new store on FB.~~Dee

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  8. organicgardendreamsDecember 14, 2012 at 8:28 AM

    Hi Phillip, what a beautiful bouquet! I think it is so wonderful that you are able to pick a bouquet like this from your garden at this time of the year. It beats the store bought florist bouquets any time. My favorite blooms from this little plonk are the Mrs. B. R. Cant rose and the Debutante Camellia. Thanks for sharing!
    Christina

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  9. GailDecember 14, 2012 at 3:30 PM

    Those are delicious roses! We've had very cold weather there's nothing left blooming.

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  10. AnonymousDecember 15, 2012 at 5:37 AM

    I'm using up the last of my tomatoes I picked before the killing freeze. It'll be officially winter when my last one is gone.

    The camellia and roses have been a beautiful sight around the Shoals this year.

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  11. RobinLDecember 17, 2012 at 4:48 PM

    How wonderful it must be to still have roses in bloom. Although we are having a mild December, we've had a few hard frosts, so no roses for me. But there are still pansies around, so I can't complain. I wish camellias bloomed up here!

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