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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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Climbing Pinkie



An interesting season this is turning out to be as June has arrived and we are still getting rain and it is yet to surpass the 80 degree mark. The garden is behind by about two weeks. This isn't necessarily a bad thing (or I don't think so) but it makes scheduling garden tours a bit tricky.

Looking back at garden photos from last year, I see that by late May, the roses were in full swing. This year, they are just beginning near the end of the first week of June.


The one rose that has been blooming fully is 'Climbing Pinkie'. Introduced in 1952, this polyantha rose is said to be popular in the United States and Australia but not as well known in other countries. It is a sport of the shrub variety 'Pinkie', introduced in 1947 (a seedling of 'China Doll'). Often described as a "mannerly climber", it does project an elegant statement when grown on a structure. It can also be grown as an arching shrub although I've never seen it used this way.

This rose is almost thornless and it is a fast grower. The one seen here in our garden is just 3 years old, having been planted on March 10, 2019. It reblooms through the summer although not as heavily as the first flush. The medium-sized semi-double flowers have a very light fragrance. Disease resistance is pretty good but it does drop lots of leaves during windy periods and Michael gripes about them messing up the pergola floor. It is easy to forgive for the stunning floriferous display it provides out our back windows.





Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Kris PetersonJune 5, 2022 at 4:22 PM

    'Climbing Pinkie' is gorgeous, Phillip! I have a single climbing rose ('Joseph's Coat'), which is laughable by comparison. It's interesting that the weather in your part of the country is taking a tropical turn. Today's LA Times claimed that California's inland areas will be extremely hot this summer, although the coast should "only" be about 10 degrees warmer on average.

    I saw an article on your beautiful garden in the latest edition of Fine Gardening - congratulations!

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    1. Phillip OliverJune 5, 2022 at 8:05 PM

      Thanks Kris! I have 'Joseph's Coat' too but it hasn't done much yet.

      Delete
  2. Lisa at GreenbowJune 9, 2022 at 2:00 PM

    That is one handsome rose, swoon worthy. I have never had such a prolific rose.

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  3. PatJune 15, 2022 at 8:53 AM

    Is this your garden or a tour as mentioned in your header. Either way...very impressive!!!

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  4. hbJune 15, 2022 at 7:17 PM

    I need it!

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