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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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Rhododendron 'PJM'



For me, Rhododendron 'PJM' is one of the main plants that signal the beginning of Spring. Nevermind that it is rather pedestrian, dotted everywhere around town and often residing on properties where it is obvious that gardeners do not live within. The reason for this is that, when it comes to rhododendrons, it is very cold hardy and one of the easiest to grow.

The story behind it is an interesting one. It was developed by Edmund Mezitt, the son of Peter J. Mezzit, an emigrant who fled the Russian czar and came to America in 1911. He and his wife Olga founded Weston Nurseries in 1923 in Connecticut. Their son, Edmund, had a passion for rhododendrons but was discouraged by the selection of offerings in the New England region. In 1939, he crossed Rhododendron carolinianum, a plant native to the Carolinas and Tennessee with Rhododendron dauricum var. sempervirens, an extremely cold-hardy plant gifted to his father by Russian missionaries. The result, Rhododendron 'PJM', named after his father's initials, took the country by storm and made their nursery famous.

I see 'PJM' growing in a variety of conditions - full sun, part sun, shade - it all seems to work but I would recommend a partly shady spot with preferably morning sun. It grows about 3 - 5 ft. in height and is upright. Today there are other varieties including 'PJM Elite' which has slightly brighter color and suppose to be more compact.



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. AnonymousApril 16, 2023 at 5:52 PM

    That's a good story. We often don't know how plants ended up for sale in our local nurseries or on line. Millions growing around the world that were once a single seedling.

    That intense color sure wakes up the eyes in a grey spring!

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  2. Kris PetersonApril 16, 2023 at 7:03 PM

    It's pretty and cheerful - just what you want to kick off spring!

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  3. Lisa at GreenbowApril 17, 2023 at 2:55 AM

    I agree it is an interesting story. It is a beauty too. Happy Spring.

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  4. AnonymousApril 17, 2023 at 7:49 AM

    I planted PJM Rhododendrum a few years ago. Very little direct sun made it grow leggy branches, it lost the lovely bronze-colored leafs it had when I punched it, and it produced 5 blooms this year. I'm rather discouraged.
    Chavli

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    1. Phillip OliverApril 17, 2023 at 7:52 AM

      Actually mine is not very dense. I wonder if pruning would help?

      Delete
  5. tz_gardenApril 17, 2023 at 9:25 AM

    So commanding with the bright color. I know rhododendrons are common, but I miss them (grew up in Portland, OR now in CA).

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  6. AnonymousApril 17, 2023 at 6:45 PM

    What a great story! Thank you for that! I know they are common, but damn - there is a reason for that. I love that dark foliage contrasted with that nearly fluorescent purple. If I had room, I would totally plant one.
    Anna K

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