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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 ...
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Fall has arrived





After a few weeks in Alabama, I returned home earlier this week to find that autumn was in full swing. Temperatures are in the 50s and 60s during the day and it has been damp.

 I've got a lot of chores to catch up on, mostly getting the pots inside and some pruning.

 A quick look around the garden - 
Persian Ironwood (Parrotia), much more colorful this year than last. 


Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), planted last fall. 

Mountain Gordlinia, just planted about a month ago, showing vibrant red leaves. 

Ginkgo 'Princetown Sentry', planted last fall in the front garden, just gets better and better. 

Another view of the gingko, with the Sourwood (Oxydendrum) in the foreground. 


Acer 'Sango Kaku' (Japanese Maple)

Japanese Stewartia


Burning Bush (Euonymous 'Rudy Haag') under the Sourwood tree

One of the potted Japanese Maples - 'Dancing Peacock' 

Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii)

Dwarf Birch (Betula 'Trost's Dwarf') 

Geranium 'Rozanne' and Pennisetum 'Hameln' 

Snakeroot (Eupatorium 'Chocolate'), Aralia 'Sun King' and hydrangea
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia 'Catawba')

Japanese Blood Grass ( Imperata cylindrica)



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Jane StrongOctober 18, 2019 at 4:25 PM

    So much beauty. Best ever pictures of fall color I've seen this season, maybe ever. You must collect these trees that show color?

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    1. Phillip OliverOctober 19, 2019 at 7:49 AM

      Jane, fall color is a chief factor in selecting a tree for me.

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowOctober 20, 2019 at 4:04 AM

    Your fall color is spectacular. What a beautiful sight to come home to.
    I did cringe a little when I saw the Burning Bush. It has become an invasive in our area. It pops up in the woods and along roadsides here. Scary.

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