A novice here. I've recently moved into a house with a pleasant but - for the
last three months - neglected garden.

I'm sure there's a list of jobs I will need to attend to since there seems to be
a wide variety of shrubs (though I suspect nothing extraordinary) but I am
concerned about what, with the help of my readers digest pics, I've identified
as a weigela, It's about 8 feet tall (RD seems to set 6 feet as standard) just
started to flower but has some particularly long stems growing from its middle -
anything up to 11 feet tall. Can I cut these back now or should I wait until
the flowering has finished?

Also roses of many kinds (sorry for my blind ignorance on this) I suspect shrub,
climbing etc. Any rules of thumb for pruning etc that I could use for immediate
guidance prior to achieving my goal of becoming competent?

most grateful for any input.

On Thu, 05 Aug 2004 11:28:25 +0200, curiosity [email protected] wrote:

A novice here. I've recently moved into a house with a pleasant but - for the
last three months - neglected garden.

I'm sure there's a list of jobs I will need to attend to since there seems to be
a wide variety of shrubs (though I suspect nothing extraordinary) but I am
concerned about what, with the help of my readers digest pics, I've identified
as a weigela, It's about 8 feet tall (RD seems to set 6 feet as standard) just
started to flower but has some particularly long stems growing from its middle -
anything up to 11 feet tall. Can I cut these back now or should I wait until
the flowering has finished?

Also roses of many kinds (sorry for my blind ignorance on this) I suspect shrub,
climbing etc. Any rules of thumb for pruning etc that I could use for immediate
guidance prior to achieving my goal of becoming competent?

most grateful for any input.

We have one of these. The trick is to remove 1/3rd old growth every
July. Personally I think that's too much, so I take out about 1/6th.
We have done this for the past 2 years (only found out about it then)
and we get a second flowering, now. It' great and obviously likes what
we are doing.
John
In limine sapientiae

On Thu, 05 Aug 2004 11:06:53 +0100, John Edgar
wrote:

On Thu, 05 Aug 2004 11:28:25 +0200, curiosity [email protected] wrote:

A novice here. I've recently moved into a house with a pleasant but - for the
last three months - neglected garden.

I'm sure there's a list of jobs I will need to attend to since there seems to be
a wide variety of shrubs (though I suspect nothing extraordinary) but I am
concerned about what, with the help of my readers digest pics, I've identified
as a weigela, It's about 8 feet tall (RD seems to set 6 feet as standard) just
started to flower but has some particularly long stems growing from its middle -
anything up to 11 feet tall. Can I cut these back now or should I wait until
the flowering has finished?

Also roses of many kinds (sorry for my blind ignorance on this) I suspect shrub,
climbing etc. Any rules of thumb for pruning etc that I could use for immediate
guidance prior to achieving my goal of becoming competent?

most grateful for any input.

We have one of these. The trick is to remove 1/3rd old growth every
July. Personally I think that's too much, so I take out about 1/6th.
We have done this for the past 2 years (only found out about it then)
and we get a second flowering, now. It' great and obviously likes what
we are doing.
John
In limine sapientiae

thanks - have just given it your treatment.

"curiosity" [email protected] wrote in message
...
A novice here. I've recently moved into a house with a pleasant but - for
the
last three months - neglected garden.

I'm sure there's a list of jobs I will need to attend to since there seems to
be
a wide variety of shrubs (though I suspect nothing extraordinary) but I am
concerned about what, with the help of my readers digest pics, I've identified
as a weigela, It's about 8 feet tall (RD seems to set 6 feet as standard)
just
started to flower but has some particularly long stems growing from its
middle -
anything up to 11 feet tall. Can I cut these back now or should I wait until
the flowering has finished?

Also roses of many kinds (sorry for my blind ignorance on this) I suspect
shrub,
climbing etc. Any rules of thumb for pruning etc that I could use for
immediate
guidance prior to achieving my goal of becoming competent?

most grateful for any input.

Hi

The following article sums rose pruning up in a nutshell :

Now to the pruning myth. Roses will survive in spite of any amount of neglect as
far as pruning is concerned. Indeed some of them seem to flower much better when
not pruned at all, but it does nothing for the appearance of the plant and can
shorten its life span by several years.

The method of pruning has been shrouded in controversy in recent times as to
whether proper pruning or slashing is the most successful. That in itself is a
guide as to what the humble rose will endure. You can prune it hard or lightly,
in the autumn or the spring, look for outward facing buds and prune above one of
these, or just take potluck, slash everything in sight and hope for the best.

The way the professionals do it is to prune hard the first year, which is about
one inch from the union, or the second bud. Then in subsequent years they prune
floribundas to three or four buds, and HTs to five or six buds according to
variety. Some of the modern hybrids require less pruning and are best treated as
shrubs.

Pruning times is another contentious subject. In the nurseries the roses are all
topped in the late autumn and pruned in early spring. That is in February or
early March at the latest. There is nothing to be gained by delaying until later
as one cannot predict the weather, which has little or no bearing on early
pruned roses in any case. I always pruned my roses in mid February with no ill
effects.

from http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/513/32567


Jenny

On Thu, 5 Aug 2004 18:56:29 +0200, "JennyC" wrote:


"curiosity" [email protected] wrote in message
.. .
A novice here. I've recently moved into a house with a pleasant but - for
the
last three months - neglected garden.

I'm sure there's a list of jobs I will need to attend to since there seems to
be
a wide variety of shrubs (though I suspect nothing extraordinary) but I am
concerned about what, with the help of my readers digest pics, I've identified
as a weigela, It's about 8 feet tall (RD seems to set 6 feet as standard)
just
started to flower but has some particularly long stems growing from its
middle -
anything up to 11 feet tall. Can I cut these back now or should I wait until
the flowering has finished?

Also roses of many kinds (sorry for my blind ignorance on this) I suspect
shrub,
climbing etc. Any rules of thumb for pruning etc that I could use for
immediate
guidance prior to achieving my goal of becoming competent?

most grateful for any input.

Hi

The following article sums rose pruning up in a nutshell :

Now to the pruning myth. Roses will survive in spite of any amount of neglect as
far as pruning is concerned. Indeed some of them seem to flower much better when
not pruned at all, but it does nothing for the appearance of the plant and can
shorten its life span by several years.

The method of pruning has been shrouded in controversy in recent times as to
whether proper pruning or slashing is the most successful. That in itself is a
guide as to what the humble rose will endure. You can prune it hard or lightly,
in the autumn or the spring, look for outward facing buds and prune above one of
these, or just take potluck, slash everything in sight and hope for the best.

The way the professionals do it is to prune hard the first year, which is about
one inch from the union, or the second bud. Then in subsequent years they prune
floribundas to three or four buds, and HTs to five or six buds according to
variety. Some of the modern hybrids require less pruning and are best treated as
shrubs.

Pruning times is another contentious subject. In the nurseries the roses are all
topped in the late autumn and pruned in early spring. That is in February or
early March at the latest. There is nothing to be gained by delaying until later
as one cannot predict the weather, which has little or no bearing on early
pruned roses in any case. I always pruned my roses in mid February with no ill
effects.

from http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/513/32567


Jenny


Jenny, many thanks for this if only because your post is at least calming - it
seems I can be clumsy even neglectful and all will be well.
There is still a problem for me in identifying the various types. HTs for
example (I've heard of hybrid Ts...is that it?). What are they and how would I
recognise them.? There is a pergola sort-of-thing in the garden with a rose
clambering over it. Is this 'obviously' a climbing rose? Also, could you guide
me on the subject of dead-heading? Is it the case that there is always benefit
in removing the expiring flowers? If one is arriving late, as am I, to a garden
where dead flowers have fallen off of their own accord and rose-hips are
growing in profusion, should any action be taken to prune these off? (sorry if
this sounds stupid - I really am at the clueless stage).
I heard also the other day that there are two pruning episodes per year, once in
autumn and more aggressive in early spring. Does this make sense?

I sympathise if my post seems too confused to warrant a reply but thanks so far.

In article , curiosity
writes

Jenny, many thanks for this if only because your post is at least calming - it
seems I can be clumsy even neglectful and all will be well.
There is still a problem for me in identifying the various types. HTs for
example (I've heard of hybrid Ts...is that it?). What are they and how would I
recognise them.?

Hybrid T - bush size, ie usually waist or chest height (though some, eg
Queen Elizabeth, will grow higher if you let them) with big perfectly
shaped roses of the 'bunch of 12 red roses' sort of shape. They need
pruning to keep in shape and not go straggle - you can prune quite hard
in the spring.

There is a pergola sort-of-thing in the garden with a rose
clambering over it. Is this 'obviously' a climbing rose?

'Obviously' either a climber or a rambler. Ramblers you leave alone
apart from taking out dead wood or spindly weak stuff or anything that's
getting in the way.

Remember the growth habit of these is to produce long straight stems one
year, which produce flowering side branches the next.

Also, could you guide
me on the subject of dead-heading? Is it the case that there is always benefit
in removing the expiring flowers? If one is arriving late, as am I, to a garden
where dead flowers have fallen off of their own accord and rose-hips are
growing in profusion, should any action be taken to prune these off? (sorry if
this sounds stupid - I really am at the clueless stage).

Roses are usually vigorous beasts and won't be damaged by carrying hips.
Some roses will produce a few later flowers if dead headed, others
(especially species and older (in the sense of when introduced) roses)
won't. Experiment with yours. If you get later flowers and prefer these
to the hips, then dead head by cutting back to a strong bud. If you
don't get later flowers, or you prefer the hips, then don't dead head.
Some roses, eg rugosa (which has rough crinkly leaves and is much used
for hedges) and moyesii are grown as much for their hips as for their
flowers.

I heard also the other day that there are two pruning episodes per year, once in
autumn and more aggressive in early spring. Does this make sense?

Dead head by pruning back to a strong bud, then take off 2/3 of each
shoot in the spring. Applies to bush roses.



--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"

"curiosity" [email protected] wrote
"JennyC" wrote:
"curiosity" [email protected] wrote in message
A novice here. I've recently moved into a house with a pleasant but - for
the last three months - neglected garden.
snip

The following article sums rose pruning up in a nutshell :
more snipped

Jenny, many thanks for this if only because your post is at least calming - it
seems I can be clumsy even neglectful and all will be well.

Go with the flow - or "may the Force be with you" ........

There is still a problem for me in identifying the various types. HTs for
example (I've heard of hybrid Ts...is that it?). What are they and how would
I
recognise them.?

http://www.regannursery.com/getting_...rose_types.htm
Has a list of explanations of types

There is a pergola sort-of-thing in the garden with a rose
clambering over it. Is this 'obviously' a climbing rose?

Could also be a rambler - but that's just to confuse you even further :~)
See link http://www.oldheirloomroses.com/ramblers.html
and how to prune:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basic...lingrose.shtml

Also, could you guide me on the subject of dead-heading?
Is it the case that there is always benefit
in removing the expiring flowers? If one is arriving late, as am I, to a
garden
where dead flowers have fallen off of their own accord and rose-hips are
growing in profusion, should any action be taken to prune these off? (sorry if
this sounds stupid - I really am at the clueless stage).

Deadheading is mostly used to make the plant think, "Oh b***er", they've nicked
all my seeds, I'd better produce some more flowers to replace them". Or in
other words extend the flowering season. Note - not all plants respond to this -
some just get greener and wait till next year to flower again.

You might want to leave some flowers on a plant as them can become pretty seed
heads during winter - or feed the birds - or both.

Rose hips are nice for winter colour so that's a personal choice. Some roses
don't have a second flowering season so you might as well enjoy the hips (or
make jelly from them !)

I heard also the other day that there are two pruning episodes per year, once
in
autumn and more aggressive in early spring. Does this make sense?

Yep, that's what I do. Tidy the rose plants up in late autumn, but leave some
length of shoots so that if the frost catches them, you can prune that bit of in
early spring. In spring I run over them again to make the final 'shape' for
summer.

I sympathise if my post seems too confused to warrant a reply but thanks so
far.

No problem, we all had to start somewhere :~)
Jenny

On Thu, 5 Aug 2004 21:05:49 +0200, "JennyC" wrote:


"curiosity" [email protected] wrote
"JennyC" wrote:
"curiosity" [email protected] wrote in message
A novice here. I've recently moved into a house with a pleasant but - for
the last three months - neglected garden.
snip

The following article sums rose pruning up in a nutshell :
more snipped

Jenny, many thanks for this if only because your post is at least calming - it
seems I can be clumsy even neglectful and all will be well.

Go with the flow - or "may the Force be with you" ........

There is still a problem for me in identifying the various types. HTs for
example (I've heard of hybrid Ts...is that it?). What are they and how would
I
recognise them.?

http://www.regannursery.com/getting_...rose_types.htm
Has a list of explanations of types

There is a pergola sort-of-thing in the garden with a rose
clambering over it. Is this 'obviously' a climbing rose?

Could also be a rambler - but that's just to confuse you even further :~)
See link http://www.oldheirloomroses.com/ramblers.html
and how to prune:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basic...lingrose.shtml

Also, could you guide me on the subject of dead-heading?
Is it the case that there is always benefit
in removing the expiring flowers? If one is arriving late, as am I, to a
garden
where dead flowers have fallen off of their own accord and rose-hips are
growing in profusion, should any action be taken to prune these off? (sorry if
this sounds stupid - I really am at the clueless stage).

Deadheading is mostly used to make the plant think, "Oh b***er", they've nicked
all my seeds, I'd better produce some more flowers to replace them". Or in
other words extend the flowering season. Note - not all plants respond to this -
some just get greener and wait till next year to flower again.

You might want to leave some flowers on a plant as them can become pretty seed
heads during winter - or feed the birds - or both.

Rose hips are nice for winter colour so that's a personal choice. Some roses
don't have a second flowering season so you might as well enjoy the hips (or
make jelly from them !)

I heard also the other day that there are two pruning episodes per year, once
in
autumn and more aggressive in early spring. Does this make sense?

Yep, that's what I do. Tidy the rose plants up in late autumn, but leave some
length of shoots so that if the frost catches them, you can prune that bit of in
early spring. In spring I run over them again to make the final 'shape' for
summer.

I sympathise if my post seems too confused to warrant a reply but thanks so
far.

No problem, we all had to start somewhere :~)
Jenny

thanks for the follow-up and extra tips.

On Thu, 5 Aug 2004 19:59:05 +0100, Kay wrote:

In article , curiosity
writes

Jenny, many thanks for this if only because your post is at least calming - it
seems I can be clumsy even neglectful and all will be well.
There is still a problem for me in identifying the various types. HTs for
example (I've heard of hybrid Ts...is that it?). What are they and how would I
recognise them.?

Hybrid T - bush size, ie usually waist or chest height (though some, eg
Queen Elizabeth, will grow higher if you let them) with big perfectly
shaped roses of the 'bunch of 12 red roses' sort of shape. They need
pruning to keep in shape and not go straggle - you can prune quite hard
in the spring.

There is a pergola sort-of-thing in the garden with a rose
clambering over it. Is this 'obviously' a climbing rose?

'Obviously' either a climber or a rambler. Ramblers you leave alone
apart from taking out dead wood or spindly weak stuff or anything that's
getting in the way.

Remember the growth habit of these is to produce long straight stems one
year, which produce flowering side branches the next.

Also, could you guide
me on the subject of dead-heading? Is it the case that there is always benefit
in removing the expiring flowers? If one is arriving late, as am I, to a garden
where dead flowers have fallen off of their own accord and rose-hips are
growing in profusion, should any action be taken to prune these off? (sorry if
this sounds stupid - I really am at the clueless stage).

Roses are usually vigorous beasts and won't be damaged by carrying hips.
Some roses will produce a few later flowers if dead headed, others
(especially species and older (in the sense of when introduced) roses)
won't. Experiment with yours. If you get later flowers and prefer these
to the hips, then dead head by cutting back to a strong bud. If you
don't get later flowers, or you prefer the hips, then don't dead head.
Some roses, eg rugosa (which has rough crinkly leaves and is much used
for hedges) and moyesii are grown as much for their hips as for their
flowers.

I heard also the other day that there are two pruning episodes per year, once in
autumn and more aggressive in early spring. Does this make sense?

Dead head by pruning back to a strong bud, then take off 2/3 of each
shoot in the spring. Applies to bush roses.

Noted and all very useful - thank you.