DESERT ROSE RAMBLINGS: Winter Chores for the Rose Garden

This is the time of year that I dread. There is so much work to be completed in a short amount of time, but I know, in order to have healthier plants, and better blooms, winter chores are a MUST. It all begins with pruning. So, with bypass pruners, loppers, gauntlet gloves, goggles, glue, and garbage bags on my cart, I will be off to prune, one rose, and one bed at a time....

Fortunately, the only roses that require a somewhat significant pruning right now are the grafted roses going into their second year. These roses have their canes cut down to about 2-3', all spindly or crossing canes are removed, leaves are stripped, then Neem oil is applied. I am not sure if this year, the canes will be sealed with Elmer's glue?? I have sealed the canes every year, but read a MSU article which indicated borers are not active during the colder Winter months, thus deeming sealing pruning cuts with glue un-necessary. I do not want to lose any roses, and will likely opt to play it safe, versus sorry, and apply the glue... Baby own-root roses (under 3 years if received as a band or under 2 years of age if planted as a one gallon or larger) will essentially undergo deadheading, and the removal of dead or crossing canes. It is a lot of work!!

Evenings, I scour roses magazines, searching for must have roses to fill empty spots in my garden. This year, I am considering (Crocus Rose, Dermalogica Passion, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Geoff Hamilton).

Cleaning up the beds, and removing plants that were not a success will help my mind's eye as I make plans for the next season. Unfortunately, I need to get the ball rolling with this task, as many of the perennial companies are selling out of the most desirable plants available for Spring 2017 shipping. Yikes!!