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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 ...

Hortlandia!



If you love plants, you don't want to miss one of the biggest plant sales of the year this weekend at the Expo Center in Portland. Hortandia 2019 is the 31st year for the event. Admission is free and you don't even have to be a member of the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon to attend although I encourage you to consider joining this wonderful organization (you can do so at the event).

Nurseries from all over the region (over 90!) will be there. You will kind many unique and choice vendors like Far Reaches Farm, Joy Creek, Gossler Farms, Cistus, and Dancing Oaks just to name a few. 

A lecture series, Grow With Us Lecture Series, will also take place and includes the following:

  • Cory Jarrell: “Houseplant Care with the Plant Nerdist” / 10:30am Saturday
  • Judith Jones: “Ferns Beyond Shady Borders” / 12pm Saturday
  • Riz Reyes: “Plants for Year-Round Flower Arranging” / 1:30pm Saturday
  • Laura Heldreth: “Made in the Shade” / 10:30am Sunday
  • Janis McBride: “The Gift of Orchids” / 12pm Sunday
  • Linda Beutler: “Some Like it Hot - Clematis” / 1:30 Sunday
There is also art and book sales and the book sale table is where you will find me on both days. The book and art sales areas will open at 9am, one hour before the plant sale begins. Please stop by and introduce yourself if you read my blog. See you there!

Time: 10am - 3pm (book and art sales open at 9am)
Place: Portland Expo Center, Hall E

A room map and vendor cross-reference list is now available for download here!

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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