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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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Gardens on tour

This is a reminder that the Garden Tour is this weekend. The hours are Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 1-5. Tickets are only $5 and can be purchased at any of the gardens on the tour. Once you purchase a ticket at your first garden, you are good to go and your ticket is good for the remainder of the tour.

Also, the State Master Gardener conference is set for Monday-Wednesday, April 15-17. You do not have to be a Master Gardener to attend. Speakers include James Farmer, Erica Glasener, Walter Reeves, Troy Marden, Hayes Jackson, Cindy Shapton, Don Shadow, Dan Spaulding and David Tomlin. Visit the website for more details on the conference.

For the garden tour, in addition to our garden, there are eight other gardens that will be open. I have photographed and written about many of these gardens for Alabama Gardener magazine. They include:
Margie Anderton

Irene Fowler
Tommy Mathis


Dee Hubbert
For a list of all the gardens as well as directions, see my earlier post.

  Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Lisa at GreenbowApril 9, 2013 at 3:28 AM

    OOOoooohhhhhhh. I wish I could attend. Everywhere looks so beautiful and inviting. PLEASE give us a virtual tour as soon as possible.

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  2. outlawgardenerApril 9, 2013 at 7:18 AM

    What gorgeous gardens! I too wish that I could attend but, alas, a weekend trip across the country doesn't seem to be in the cards. Looking forward to visiting vicariously though you!

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  3. CarolApril 9, 2013 at 8:20 AM

    Hope all goes well and the weather is in your favor! Carol

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  4. LarryApril 9, 2013 at 11:39 AM

    Some amazing gardens on your tour... wish we were closer! Larry

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  5. sweetbayApril 9, 2013 at 5:48 PM

    That picture of Irene Fowler's garden is incredible.

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  6. Rose Petals NurseryApril 9, 2013 at 6:47 PM

    I 2nd Lisa at Greenbow's comment..... magnificent The Gardener looks forward to your post on the tour ☼

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  7. David - Pinewood CottageApril 9, 2013 at 7:57 PM

    Wish I lived closer too. What an diverse group of excellent gardens. Hope you have a great turn out.

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  8. Phillip OliverApril 10, 2013 at 1:22 PM

    Sweetbay, Irene's garden is wonderful. If you'd like to see more photos of it, see my earlier post - http://phillipoliver.blogspot.com/2010/11/alabama-gardener-cover-story.html

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