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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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The First Winter Snow of 2021

 

The forecasters got it right this time. We got around 2" overnight and it has been steadily snowing this morning. The bulk is supposed to be today and tonight.

Last night, I took this shot looking out the bathroom window. It had been snowing all afternoon but very little was sticking.


 And that same view this morning -


I was out there for about a half hour, refreshing the hummingbird feeders and knocking snow off the branches. The Hinoki cypress was especially concerning -


That is a chore that I will have to repeat later in the day if the snow continues.








Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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Comments

  1. Kris PetersonFebruary 12, 2021 at 8:48 PM

    Snow is always very pretty in pictures but I think the reality of dealing with in covering my garden would turn me into a nervous wreck. I hope your garden comes through the experience unscathed. Phillip.

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  2. Lee@A Guide to Northeastern GardeningFebruary 13, 2021 at 8:45 AM

    We’ve gotten several snow storms this season here on Long Island, more than we have gotten in years. The branches of my newly planted Hoogendorn Holly (planted last summer) are weighted under a blanket of heavy snow and I am worried about them breaking, but don’t want to start moving them in fear that the ice and snow could snap the branches right off. I am keeping fingers crossed and hoping that natural melting will allow the branches to eventually spring back. Good luck with you garden and spring will be here soon (well almost soon!)

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  3. Lisa at GreenbowFebruary 13, 2021 at 8:52 AM

    The snow adds an enchanting feeling to your garden.

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  4. chavlinessFebruary 14, 2021 at 9:16 AM

    I could have been perfectly happy without this late winter snow system blowing through. I think for most, the meltdown will start taking place on Monday; not a moment too soon. The snow covered bird house is particularly charming.

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  5. chavlinessFebruary 14, 2021 at 9:16 AM

    I could have been perfectly happy without this late winter snow system blowing through. I think for most, the meltdown will start taking place on Monday; not a moment too soon. The snow covered bird house is particularly charming.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Rainy Day GardenerFebruary 19, 2021 at 2:37 PM

    The snow was beautiful in your gardens. I wish we would have just had snow instead of the ice. Lovely pics as always.

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