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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 ...

Some Early Roses

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"Fortune's Double Yellow" (Species Rose)
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"Louis Philippe" (Tea Rose)
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"Mrs. B.R. Cant" (Tea Rose)
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"Reve D'Or" (Noisette Rose)
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Pink Knockout (Shrub Rose)
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"Souvenir de la Malmaison" (Bourbon Rose)
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Zephirine Drouhin (Bourbon Rose)
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Your roses are so pretty and seem very happy. Would love to have some but don't know if I would have enough sun. Just have so much shade. have a great week! Carol

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  2. Thanks Phillip for a wonderful tour of your garden today. Although it was a wet and soggy day, everything looked wonderful and made the day one to remember for a long time. Would love to come back when hydrangeas are in bloom.

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  3. Thanks Phillip for a wonderful tour of your garden today. Although it was a wet and soggy day, everything looked wonderful and made the day one to remember for a long time. Would love to come back when hydrangeas are in bloom.

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  4. I have heard about the Louis Phillipe..beautiful rose!

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  5. Edith, thank you for coming! You are welcome to come back anytime.

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  6. Hi Phillip, Your roses are lovely. I see that Erica Glasener visited your garden. How exciting! Love your blog.

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  7. Difficult to pick a favorite, but at a prior home and garden, I had Bourbon roses, so I adore those blooms!

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  8. Ah, fabulous! We are a long way from roses up hear, so nice to get a glimpse of summer.

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  9. Your gardens must be filled with a wonderful scent!

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  10. Beautiful Phillip. Love these beauties. My roses aren't budding yet. It won't be long.

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  11. Every year around this time I start wishing i'd planted some more roses in November or so. This year I really will.

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  12. Your roses are gorgeous. The pictures make them even more so!

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  13. So you have a fondness for pink roses? They are all gorgeous, particularly the David Austins. I'm so sad, my David Austin didn't survive the winter. Boohoo!

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