Valentine’s Day … Roses … Time to Prune Roses!

Chrysler Imperial, Climbing; Oct. 2014

In zone 8b, we are preparing for Spring and I’m always looking for a reason to be out in the gardens. So, with Valentine’s day here and gone, don’t forget to prune and care for the roses! Here are a few steps;

1. remove all dead stems

• cut just below the brown/green interface where the dead, brown stem comes in contact with the healthy green tissue.
• Use a rose cutting saw to remove large stems.
• Remove stems that are the thickness of a wooden pencil

2. rake leaf debris and remove — to reduce the amount of any potential plant pathogens that will be splashed up onto the rose leaves during Spring rains.

3. Add compost

• gently work into the soil area around the roots
• add water if the soil is dry

4. Top off with mulch

5. Wait for upcoming new growth and blooms!