Skip to main content

Featured

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 ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Threshold to Fall

Hibiscus 'Midnight Marvel'

Last night our weatherman said that from here on out, we would have fall weather. Summer left with a bang with an almost 100 degree day at the end of the August. The heat fluctuations are a nuisance, and I miss the days of consistent temperatures. There doesn't seem to be a happy medium anymore, it is either at one extreme or another. 

The older I get, the more sensitive I get to cold temperatures. This creates major conflict in our household with Michael being hot all the time. I swear he freezes me to death. So I celebrate the end of the noisy air conditioner kicking on right as I sit down on the deck for quiet reading and the constant drone of fans inside the house. 

I'm hoping for a mild autumn where temperatures hover around the low 70s. Is that too much to ask?

I love the fall season - the colors, the brisk clean feeling in the air and the way the sun starts casting odd shadows. 




Canna 'Panache'

Hydrangea 'Lemon Wave'

Alstroemeria 'Sweet Laura'

Crape Myrtle 'Dynamite'

'Dynamite' again and the rose 'Swany' on the right. It is blooming again!

One of the best pots this year and this is its second season. I've never had much success with Huechera (Coral Bells) but this one is a winner - 'Red Lightning'. The Cape Fuchsia above it was a gift from friends - it is Phygelius 'Colorburst Yellow'. It is a good idea to always grow the cape fuchsias in pots as they can be quite aggressive in the ground.

Jasmine 'Ogon Nishiki'

Unfortunately, I lost the name of this Japanese Maple that we have growing in a pot. I'm guessing that it is 'Viridis'.


Chinese Foxglove (Rehmannia elata)


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
Email Post

Comments

  1. Kris PetersonSeptember 15, 2024 at 5:46 PM

    Late summer looks a whole lot better in your part of the country than mine, Phillip! I love that Hibiscus. Do you know the cultivar name for the orange-flowered dahlia? It's gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PhillipSeptember 15, 2024 at 5:54 PM

      No, I wish I did. I tried to find it but could not.

      Delete
  2. Ardith FergusonSeptember 15, 2024 at 8:15 PM

    Your photos are exquisite! I saw the Red Lightning Huechera at Yard and Garden on Saturday and really love it. Thanks for sharing these late summer scenes from your garden.

    ReplyDelete
  3. tz_gardenSeptember 16, 2024 at 7:57 AM

    Oh my these photos are so wonderful, your garden feels so lush and green! That dahlia is stunning.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hoover BooSeptember 16, 2024 at 5:35 PM

    Gorgeous photos of beautiful plants. The light is so much better now--without the harsh intensity of summer.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts