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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 ...
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Foliage follow-up


First of all, thanks for all the blog name suggestions! I received some really good ones and I'm making a list. Some of you asked if the property has a name. Not really, although Michael and I have discussed calling it "Shady Pines" because we love "The Golden Girls" and there are actually lots of pines on the property. So, a "Shady Pines" blog? I don't know yet.

 A few days ago I posted photos of flowers that were blooming. Now here are some foliage (and berries) shots I took.

Ornamental Cabbage (or Kale) (Brassica oleracea)
The center part of same plant
Italian Arum (Arum Italicum)
Holly 'O Spring' (Ilex cornuta)

Leatherleaf Viburnum (Viburnum rhytidophyllum)
English Ivy 'Gold Child' (Hedera helix)
Yucca 'Color Guard' (Yucca filamentosa)
Possumhaw Holly (Ilex decidua)

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. organicgardendreamsJanuary 30, 2013 at 9:22 AM

    Hi Phillip, great shots of foliage! I think I still pay too much attention to blooms and to little to foliage. You are inspiring me to have a closer look at the foliage of a plant and value it more. I love the photo of the ivy with the bells with the green patina!
    Christina

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  2. RandyJanuary 30, 2013 at 10:04 AM

    Beautiful shots Phillip!

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  3. aquablueroseJanuary 30, 2013 at 11:18 AM

    Hi Phillip!

    Just Beautiful! I love the purple colors.

    Been so busy of late..so much going on. Hope all is well with you & dear Michael.

    XXXXX

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  4. Lisa at GreenbowJanuary 30, 2013 at 12:34 PM

    Love those colorful leaves. My ornamental cabbage froze to death. It was pretty while it lasted. Can't wait to hear what you name your new blog/garden.

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  5. ProfessorRoushJanuary 30, 2013 at 5:40 PM

    Now I know why Henry Mitchell so loved Italian Arum.

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  6. outlawgardenerJanuary 30, 2013 at 8:18 PM

    Gorgeous as always Phillip!

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  7. AnonymousJanuary 30, 2013 at 8:30 PM

    Just stunning! Although I do love flowers, foliage is so much more important.
    Dare I tell you that the Ivy is "Gold Child" ? "Gold Heart" has a yellow center. Would you like some?
    I love the name 'Shady Pines' Keep us posted.

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  8. NicJanuary 31, 2013 at 5:22 AM

    Love the Shady Pines idea... :)

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  9. Casa MariposaJanuary 31, 2013 at 4:29 PM

    I love your blog name!! I also love these foliage close ups. :o)

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  10. HolleyGardenJanuary 31, 2013 at 5:31 PM

    That ornamental kale is amazing! What a beautiful color! And thank you so much! Thanks to you I now know that the tree the birds planted for me that I love so much is a possomhaw holly!

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  11. Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax!February 1, 2013 at 4:11 AM

    Impressed by the holly. Haven't come across that kind before.

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  12. Rosedale GardenFebruary 7, 2013 at 4:57 AM

    Phillip putting Shady in the name will get you traffic from some of the porn sites. I have a post on my blog called the Hooligans Big Snow about my dogs experiences with the snow of 2011. You won't believe the traffic from these sites along with spammers trying to hack my site I have for that one story. My daffs are starting to bloom.

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