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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 ...
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Open Gardens - Bruce Wakefield & Jerry Grossnickle




Last weekend, I got to see a garden that I had wanted to see for a long time. I first saw Bruce Wakefield and Jerry Grossnickle's garden on an episode of "A Gardener's Diary" on HGTV. It was one of my favorite shows and aired when HGTV actually had gardening shows. I had no idea at the time that I would one day live close enough to actually see their garden in person as well as work with Bruce on the HPSO board. 

 The garden did not disappoint and was worth the wait. It is like a botanical garden and so many plants that I had no idea what they were. It was a perfect day to see the garden. I was a bit rushed and needless to say, overwhelmed. I hope to return again when their garden will be open again in June.
A horse chesnut tree was the first thing I saw when entering the garden.



 The garden is located on two acres and it is situated on a steep slope that has winding pathways that lead to various gardens. 




This water feature (as well as the ones in the previous photos) are near the bottom of the garden. 

Looking up the hill toward the house






















Up near the house is a dry garden area with tropical plants






Stepping up to the balcony where you can see incredible views of the garden below


There are lots of pots on the balcony and Bruce said that many are just now being brought out of the greenhouse. I recall seeing this plant on the Piece of Eden blog!










Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Lisa at GreenbowMay 18, 2019 at 4:25 AM

    Wow, I can see how it would seem overwhelming. It is a gorgeous garden on what I would think is a difficult site. They have tamed it well. So much to drool over. Great photos Phillip.

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  2. Barbara H.May 18, 2019 at 8:22 AM

    I too loved Gardener's Diary and mourned its loss. I've seen this garden in pictures before and it's amazing. Even though you were rightly overwhelmed you've done a nice job of giving a sense of it.

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  3. C. C.May 18, 2019 at 9:08 AM

    This is insanely beautiful and inspiring. Thanks for the lovely photos. I have a similar but mostly shady woodland garden behind the house, a quarter acre or so that slopes downhill, and even that smallish size absolutely is overwhelming. Hopefully when I retire I can spend more time out there and get control of the ivy, periwinkle, wild strawberry, lamium, etc. that threaten to smother everything else.

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  4. AlisonMay 18, 2019 at 9:23 AM

    I saw this great garden a few years ago when I was at Hardy Plant Study Weekend in Portland. I enjoyed it very much, in spite of it being nearly 100 degrees out that weekend. Thanks for sharing your photos and impressions of it. I hope you get a chance to go back.

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  5. ksMay 18, 2019 at 10:31 AM

    I toured this garden when Fling was in Portland, and am determined to see it again some day. Their open HPSO days don't coincide with my trip to Portland for study weekend, so maybe next year !

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  6. SallysmomMay 20, 2019 at 11:59 AM

    It is a disgrace that HGTV is now HTV. I wish they would put all those shows on dvd's. I would buy them.

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  7. chavlinessMay 21, 2019 at 10:21 AM

    So lush and green, what a beautiful oasis.

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