Thank Goodness - the thaw has started and nearly half the snow has already gone. Temperatures a balmy 4 degrees!
Good job too, as I need to start the pruning, as in the next few weeks I have to plant a new yew hedge (to disguise and block the view of the compost heap) and then put in a 4 mtr rail fence for the second Dr Van Fleet rambler.
I was also desperate to try out my Christmas present, "from me to me", a new pair of Niwkai secateurs.
Lovely and old-fashioned with a really pleasing clip noise. I promise to look after them and to clean and sharpen them.
Three down (my brother interrupted me, by visiting) so only about 27 to go!
I have a question. I’m vaguely aware that if I take a rose away from x spot I can’t plant another one there. However, if I have a trio of roses and one is a little off where I’d ideally like it can I dig it out and move it a foot or so?
This is an interesting take on best roses to grow for cutting . For 15 years Georgie has run a seven acre flower farm in Somerset. Recomms include Queen of Stephen, Boscobel, Mad Alf, Wollerton, Claire Austin, Gentle Hermione, Vanessa Bell, Bonica.
This is an interesting take on best roses to grow for cutting . For 15 years Georgie has run a seven acre flower farm in Somerset. Recomms include Queen of Stephen, Boscobel, Mad Alf, Wollerton, Claire Austin, Gentle Hermione, Vanessa Bell, Bonica.
Sorry, that should read "Queen of Sweden" - commemorating Queen Christina (1626-1689). She had a fascinating life, the subject of many novels and films, and never married anyone.
Could somebody please help me with some pruning questions? I know I am supposed to remove all dead/diseased/damaged wood but now I am about to do it and having doubts...
Below is Dannahue from last summer. Most of its canes look damaged in one place or another. If I cut them all to healthy wood there will be nothing left of the bush. Given it's still young will it be able to recover from such aggressive pruning?
And another question is about soundly thin branches. Some of my roses have loads of them. How should I tackle this kind of stuff?
@Dasha I keep the thin branches if the plant is small. If they have enough growth, depending on the height (shape) I want them to be pruned I take them or leave them. The thin ones I take off for sure are the long thin branches that come off from any of the thick branches. They tend to remain thin most of the times. I prune them close to where they originate from.
Not sure from the camera angle if the branch below has a callus and there is nice growth above the cut you made. If the growth above looks healthy then I would leave it. Even if you chop them hard they do make a good recovery from nothing in my experience.
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Good job too, as I need to start the pruning, as in the next few weeks I have to plant a new yew hedge (to disguise and block the view of the compost heap) and then put in a 4 mtr rail fence for the second Dr Van Fleet rambler.
Lovely and old-fashioned with a really pleasing clip noise. I promise to look after them and to clean and sharpen them.
Yes perfectly ok to do that.. I've done this lots of times..
Nice secateurs @PeterAberdeen ..
Not sure from the camera angle if the branch below has a callus and there is nice growth above the cut you made. If the growth above looks healthy then I would leave it. Even if you chop them hard they do make a good recovery from nothing in my experience.