@Rojas, yes FC has developed a very strong fragrance, but I find it revolting - see above!
For winter pruning of repeat flowering roses* if you do it too soon when they are still in active growth, they will put their energy into producing further soft new growth, which will then be vulnerable to frost. It’s better to let them fade onto dormancy and allow them to conserve remaining energy in the canes to see then through the majority of the winter before doing any major pruning. I usually do mine around the beginning of February, tho some do it as early as late December. I do however, do a light tidy up of wayward growth in late autumn and shorten any overlong canes to prevent them being whipped about by storms.
* once-flowering, those blooming on old wood/ripened laterals, old roses that resent pruning or are left unpruned in the first few years etc, play by different rules..
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
@Nollie, thanks. I was also wondering when would be good time to prune. Mine are in full spring mode. Whole garden has gone from autumn to spring vibe with all the rain.
Last two seasons I didn't get a chance to prune until mid/late march. This year I was thinking of November but looking at the state of roses I doubt they will be in dormant state.
3rd flush still doing well here, lots more buds on most. I saw the withdrawal of a few more Austins. Honestly munstead and lady Emma have been favourites this year. Gorgeous roses. My Bring me sunshines been nice but its nothing especially outstanding. Brother Cadfael; Sheilas perfume Queen of Sweden (still in its pot whilst I prepare front bed) Morava Reka, pheno geno. Lovely primrose online sale bargain. Lovely compact sized rose covered in ruffled red blooms repeatedly and low down so far which is ideal for front border/ pots. They seem to have a big selection of them, I got a couple of others too, will share when I get decent blooms. They look quite young but healthy.
I can’t think of any benefit to doing the major annual prune any sooner than the year changeover apart from what is necessary to prevent wind damage. Maybe others disagree? I do recall Marlorena started early because she had so many to get through, I think, and correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think they get much frost in East Anglia??
Enjoy the second spring while you can, I say!
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
Do the bareroot discounts come in the spring time? None expected before then? TW is saying their bareroots come online in early Nov.
---
I have been told / have read that mis-pruning of a climber can make it "revert" into a shrub rose. Does that hormonally make sense to anyone? How would that work?
Good question @owd potter, I suspect they’ll probably offer you a refund or an alternative rose instead.
Well it seems my rose addiction is not easily cured, nor my newfound interest in standards. I have succumbed to Lens! I’ve had to seek out more victims to sacrifice to the shovel to accommodate the following:
Lady Emma Hamilton Standard - to replace Golden Celebration, the latter sadly lacks the proper wide space to develop into the big arching shrub it wants to be.
- my trio of cercosporma-plagued LEH next to GC is going, maybe to pot hospital since they are clearly like gold dust now (to be replaced by Roald Dahl) The standard should get more air movement and I might even resort to spraying it.
Empereur Charles IV Standard - I’m thinking a new centrepiece for the East garden to replace an ailing clematis wigwam, but it may need a shadier spot so will be potted just in case.
Ah you are the One who bought the last LEH standard at Lens 😉. regarding Charles Empereur it can crisp up in a flaming sun so I believe it is wise to keep it potted and wait. It is still in bloom here but it is not a blooming machine .
I still need to place my order for bare roots .still looking for a LEH
I’m doubting between boule de Neige or Neige d ete…
I will start pruning in February but need to prune some long laterals before stormy weather starts .
I have been told / have read that mis-pruning of a climber can make it "revert" into a shrub rose. Does that hormonally make sense to anyone? How would that work?
Sort of, Fire. If you chopped down your climbing canes you will have halted their growth and sundered apical dominance. They will then branch out laterally from that lower cut and be shorter and shrubbier. You would have to wait for new basals to train into a replacement climbing framework, which requires energy and time. Maybe if you keep chopping it back it might eventually run out of steam, a kind of forced reversion? I’m thinking of my doomed Warm Welcome, it never really recovered it’s climbing mojo after being chopped down two year’s running during the Obelisk Saga!
Oops, sorry about that @Imprevu, there were two when I initially looked and when that dropped to one I grabbed it! You are welcome to have one of my existing LEHs, I can bare-root and prune one to send to you in winter - send me a private message if you are interested.
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
Posts
For winter pruning of repeat flowering roses* if you do it too soon when they are still in active growth, they will put their energy into producing further soft new growth, which will then be vulnerable to frost. It’s better to let them fade onto dormancy and allow them to conserve remaining energy in the canes to see then through the majority of the winter before doing any major pruning. I usually do mine around the beginning of February, tho some do it as early as late December. I do however, do a light tidy up of wayward growth in late autumn and shorten any overlong canes to prevent them being whipped about by storms.
* once-flowering, those blooming on old wood/ripened laterals, old roses that resent pruning or are left unpruned in the first few years etc, play by different rules..
Last two seasons I didn't get a chance to prune until mid/late march. This year I was thinking of November but looking at the state of roses I doubt they will be in dormant state.
Brother Cadfael;
Sheilas perfume
Queen of Sweden (still in its pot whilst I prepare front bed)
Morava Reka, pheno geno. Lovely primrose online sale bargain. Lovely compact sized rose covered in ruffled red blooms repeatedly and low down so far which is ideal for front border/ pots. They seem to have a big selection of them, I got a couple of others too, will share when I get decent blooms. They look quite young but healthy.
Enjoy the second spring while you can, I say!
regarding Charles Empereur it can crisp up in a flaming sun so I believe it is wise to keep it potted and wait.
It is still in bloom here but it is not a blooming machine .
I’m doubting between boule de Neige or Neige d ete…
Oops, sorry about that @Imprevu, there were two when I initially looked and when that dropped to one I grabbed it! You are welcome to have one of my existing LEHs, I can bare-root and prune one to send to you in winter - send me a private message if you are interested.
Alister Stella Gray:
Lady of Shalott:
Super Trouper: