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 ...
You must be in heaven! So many great ideas for your new garden!So glad you are making the rounds and sharing with all of us. Thanks Phillip!
ReplyDeleteLove that blue wall. The first thing I thought of was your wall in the previous garden. I bet your head is spinning with ideas. These gardens are so lush. It is so dry here the grass is going dormant already. UGH... This post took me to gardening heaven.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these gardens with us! When I saw the blue painted wall I thought of your purple wall right away. I lived most of my life in the San Fransisco area and miss growing plants like hebe. As you well know, there are many beautiful plants to grow in the South where I live now. Glad you are adapting to your new climate zone!
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like a garden tour to get the garden design juices going. There are terrific examples of asian influence in your photographs. I have grown - and lost - Hebes over the years, they aren't all hardy in the PNW and a cold winter could kill some verities. I was told once that the smaller the leaf of a Hebe, the hardier it is. So far I find it to be true.
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ReplyDeletePhillip, these gardens are amazing and I am in love with that blue wall! I will enjoy watching your new gardens grow as time goes by.
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