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Rosa Mermaid - pruning advice

Magical MeerkatMagical Meerkat Posts: 311
in Plants
Hi all,

I've had Rosa Mermaid for quite a few years struggling in a pot whilst we bought a house and sorted the garden. We finally got her in the ground July 21. She had been rather scorched and burnt whilst in the pot, I just couldn't keep her watered enough and this garden has no shade! So I have left her to rest and grow since then. 
I've never had a rose before, and I'm not sure how to prune her.  I think i have to prune out her old dark stem in winter is that right? 
She now has lots of lovely new growth and her leaves are glossy, and she had quite a few big flowers this year.  
I need to create a wire frame to tie her into across the arbour. Has anyone done this? Ive only trained wall climbers before. But i guess its similar, just along the top?i 

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    She’ll be fine … ‘Mermaid’ is as tough as old boots. If @WonkyWomble sees this post she’ll tell you all about her ‘Mermaid’ which has thrived despite me digging it up from my garden with nearly no roots and giving it to her. It now acts as a very effective burglar deterrent over the big shed on her rear boundary, and provides a safe place for the flocks of small birds who live there, keeping them safe from the local sparrow hawk. 

    I wouldn’t worry about pruning it until you need to reduce its rampaging growth. Pruning can encourage new growth … there’s an old gardening saying ‘growth follows the knife’. Your ‘Mermaid’ looks as if it needs no encouragement to grow. 

    It is a gorgeous flower isn’t it … and such glossy foliage 😍

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Magical MeerkatMagical Meerkat Posts: 311
    Haha. Yes the thorns are lethal, I've been caught a few times! So would work def work as a burglar deterrent. 
    I bought her covered in black spot, looking miserable in a garden centre and thought she'd be good for wildlife. 
    She has stunning big flowers and a subtle but lovely scent. I often stick my nose right into the flowers. 
    I won't do any pruning then, I'll just try to train her where I want her. 
    Thanks dove
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I’m sure Wonky has some photos of hers somewhere … maybe she’ll see this and find them sometime .., but I know she’s been really busy lately …

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I’ve just texted Wonky … she’s cooking a roast for hungry visiting stepson and her Lovely Hub. She’ll try to pop in later in the week. 
    She said ‘prepare to be colonised’ 😂 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Magical MeerkatMagical Meerkat Posts: 311
    Hahaha. Well if it's anything like the passionflower which has world domination in its sights I'll be prepared!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    She’s sent me this …



    you can see how it would deter anyone trying to clamber over the shed and into her garden!!! It’s a ‘lively neighbourhood’ 😉 

    Think it’s been planted about 13 years.  I delivered it to her in the boot of a Fiesta, so it wasn’t big then. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Magical MeerkatMagical Meerkat Posts: 311
    Wow look how thick the branches are!  Yes we used to have a neighbourhood like that. Luckily much quieter here! 
    That's very kind of her to send. I hope the roast is delicious 😋 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
     
    And here’s another pic! 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Magical MeerkatMagical Meerkat Posts: 311
    Its like a thicket in a fairy tail 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    That’s it exactly … and Wonky would be the Sleeping Beauty … if she ever had time to sleep 🤣 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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