I am in the south and my roses are still in bloom. I don't have so much foliage, but the blossoms are o.k. i think my rose would be healthier if they had a longer season of dormancy. It may get cold a week or two in Jan. or Feb. I have not fertilized them since July and they look like the stems are getting stressed on some parts of the bush. I will not fertilize again until March. We have had a couple of frosts but it has not done any real damage. On sunny days it is nice to see the plants. I have a large mini rose that has the front entrance perfumed. Is there any care suggestions that are special to the south that anyone has? I really think I should just let nature take its course. I prune in Feb. Should I maybe change my prune time to Dec. blooms or no blooms. Look forward to hearing some comments.
I have one climbing, white rose that's just about hanging in there. We've had a lot of severe frosts and all my other roses have dropped their flowers. I think the white one is still in bloom because it's right up against the house wall so gets some protection from the weather.
I cut all of mine back in November this year. The hedge roses were so stressed from too much rain from January thru June followed closely by too much heat and no rain July thru October, that by November they were in terrible shape. They have started new growth already. The shrub roses out front I usually chop back to the ground in November and certainly this year because of the stress too. The city next to us has the median of one of their smaller roads planted with roses, gives it a country lane type feel and those roses are still covered in blooms. I don't remember noticing in past years if they cut them back or not.
Thanks for replies. Mine are stressed and I would like to help them, but just like Toni, I am afraid of having new growth come, which is going to happen to have what is actually the true threat [late freeze in March] hurt them. I am an adventurer and think I am going to cut them back this week and see what happens. I don't think it will do that much damage and there is such a long time for me to mother them if there is a setback in the spring. Wish me luck!
Mine had very few leaves and even fewer blooms because of the stress. I figured by cutting them back it would give the roots time to recuperate without having to struggle to keep the above ground parts growing. And as bad as they looked I figured it couldn't hurt them any more than they already were. Since our real winter, if we are going to get any, usually comes in January there have been a few years when I cut all of them back in November and they had quite a bit of new growth by the time freezing temps arrived (even an ice storm a couple of years) and they survived just fine. Mine aren't the really expensive, care for them like you would a baby type of rose, so they have learned to survive on what care they are given.
Yes, we've had one light frost but it didn't bother them any. They are all in bloom or have buds. The flowers seem to be bigger in the cooler weather down here.
I'm still getting Roses . There's 6 on one and 1 on another and none on the climing rose bush. Come to think about it that hasn't given me any yet
I did it. I cut back my roses today and think it was for the best. The garden, even though it absent of some color, looks neater. I had so many bird friends keeping me company while I worked. I had to stop several times and just watch them as they watched me and sounded alarms to other birds. I gorgeous cardinal hopped around curiously and ate from some lantana that has gone to seed.
Hello, I have had a good sized rose garden for years. Here are the few things that I do to keep my roses looking beautiful. I usually cut them back twice a year. One in the heat of the summer, usually July or August. I also make sure that I keep on top of dead heading them during their blooming seasons. I also keep them fertilized with rose systemic (the granular type) every four weeks. Don't be afraid to prune them back heavily. I usually take them back to about two feet tall. I cut back all little stems and just keep the major ones. I hope this info helps. Have a great day.
I think I will prune back during the hot drought this year to see if that helps them. My problem is my leaves fall off right after the first big flush. I actually need more nitrogen I think. Black spot begins as soon as the rains begin. I have fought the battle for years. When I had a fish tank, I put the used water on my roses and they had luscious green leaves. Fish emulsion is expensive but I think it may be worth the money. I am getting more serious about my garden since I found this site and wrote a book about my gardening experiences. I have two stray blooms from 07 growth on a bush or two.
