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 ...
Winter sun is so precious, and your cute flamingo reminds me of the approaching(!) summer!
ReplyDeleteSunshine and flamingoes. A warming thought on a 24degree day.
ReplyDeleteHa! You've got a little patch of Florida right there ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Fernando, although I wouldn't mind spring happening before summer.
ReplyDeleteOh Phillip - that is adorable! I have a feeling I need to find emergency shelter for a lot of hitherto homeless plants before this weekend. It's going to be bad.... Fernando should thank his lucky stars he is not forgotten outside somewhere. Even if the light is slowly returning, it will be awhile before flamingo-friendly temperatures will follow.
ReplyDeleteHim and all the rest of us! Love him.
ReplyDelete