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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 ...

Lilies in pots - "Muskadet"



Lily "Muskadet" growing in a pot on the patio. I have found that lilies do quite well in pots and they even bloom in shady locations. It is wise to select varieties that do not get too tall - "Muskadet" is only about 2 feet tall. I have had this one for years. I just put it in our unheated basement during the winter where it goes dormant. 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. I tried Agapanthus in a pot this spring and was so pleased that I plan to dig most of them and pot. Maybe I'll pot Lilies, too. I used to have Muscadet, need it again.

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  2. That's a beauty, and a wonderful photograph.

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  3. When you store the lilies for the winter, in order for them to go dormant, do you water them at all?

    Thanks for answer! ) Love your blog!

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  4. This is a cheerful colorful lily. Love the red spots.

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  5. Very pretty. Is it fragrant as well? I am surprised it even has to go in the basement, as there are quite a few lilies surviving in big containers here in our neighborhood that are out on the sidewalk year-round. Or is it just so the bare pot is out of sight in the winter?

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    Replies
    1. You are right, it would probably be okay left outside. The main reason I do it is to protect the pot. When I leave pots out, they tend to crack and break when we have icy weather.

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  6. Very nice. I think I now have a few new options for a few of the containers on my deck, thanks to you.
    Ray

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  7. What a beauty! I would never have thought of putting lilies in pots--thanks for the suggestion!

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  8. Beautiful! I like that it only grows to 2 feet.

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