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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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Japanese Maples Fall Color

'Skeeter's Broom' is the most colorful maple in our garden.


I have just returned from a 2-week trip to Japan. This was my first ever trip outside the United States. It was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. Japan was wonderful - they really have their act together and I think the U.S. could learn a few things from them.

There was one disappointment on the trip - the fall color had barely begun there and was really just beginning as we left. That is okay because the gardens were still spectacular, and I got a nice shot of fall color when I got back.

'Ryusen'


I missed a few things - our ginkgo had just turned a glorious color the day before I left, and the leaves were gone by the time I got back. 

'Sango-Kaku'


I came home to many leaves on the ground but still a lot on the trees. 'Osakazuki', a beautiful red maple always changed color very late and therefore doesn't usually last long. When I left there was no color but a few remaining blood-red leaves were lingering when I returned. Still, not enough for a good photo. Michael tells me that it was beautiful. 

A scattering of leaves from 'Skeeter's Broom'

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Kris PetersonNovember 17, 2024 at 6:51 PM

    Beautiful maples, even if you didn't catch all of them at their peak!

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  2. AnonymousNovember 18, 2024 at 7:56 AM

    The fallen leaves are just as gorgeous when skirting the earth bellow! That last photo is spectacular.
    I hope you'll post about your trip in Japan.
    Chavli

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  3. tz_gardenNovember 18, 2024 at 10:00 AM

    Welcome home! I just got back from a 2 week trip to Cambodia and Thailand and still feeling wobbly and jet lagged. Japan sounds wonderful, I've always wanted to visit. The colors are brilliant on Skeeter's Broom - WOW!

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverNovember 18, 2024 at 10:30 AM

      Welcome back home to you too. I didn't think I was affected by that but I just slept until 10am today and I haven't done that since I was a teen.

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    2. Ardith FergusonNovember 19, 2024 at 7:39 PM

      The Skeeter's Broom is so stunning! Beautiful colors throughout your garden. Can't wait to hear more about your trip.

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