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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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Revisiting Thomas Vetter's Garden


Back in the day when I gazed longingly at photos of gardens in the Pacific Northwest, I would bet that I came across some of Thomas Vetter's gorgeous garden in Portland. I got the chance to see his garden in person three years ago and stopped by again last Sunday for another visit. It continues to inspire me and is one of my favorite gardens.


It was hot and the sun was bright on Sunday but there is a calming and cooling factor the minute you enter. 

At the driveway entrance, a large collection of potted plants greet you.


A pathway leads through the small front garden. His garden is jam-packed with plants, all artfully arranged with lovely combinations and contrasting textures.








 A narrow side garden leads to the back -



The back garden is a dream. 








Underneath a porch are more potted plants and a collection of succulents -



And, back in the corner, a towering locust (Robinia) . A big crow sat in it almost the entire time of my visit.


Thank you again for opening your garden to us Thomas. It is an artistic gem!

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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Comments

  1. danger gardenJune 25, 2021 at 9:37 AM

    Thanks for the photos! I haven't managed to visit Thomas' garden for years, its still looking as wonderful as ever.

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  2. Kris PetersonJune 25, 2021 at 12:02 PM

    Beautiful indeed. The photos provide a sense of an enclave cloistered from the world around it. I'm glad you got a chance to tour it again before the heat descends on Portland.

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  3. Lisa at GreenbowJune 26, 2021 at 3:51 AM

    And thank you for sharing this artistic gem. I can see where you would get a lot of inspiration from this garden. It is beautiful.

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  4. chavlinessJune 27, 2021 at 5:54 AM

    Gorgeous garden! Thomas is masterful in layering plants perfectly for hight, texture and color. The covers porch is a jewel. Is it a climbing hydrangea in photo #5?

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