| http://gallery.me.com/jadigidy... This bush bloomed great, almost too good. It is bigger than my others, gets most of the wind and now has slumped over making it shift at the base during any 5+ mph wind gust. Can I trim this back, make a nice bouquet of its new bloomers? If so, how far can I cut it back as to not stunt it's growth? I know to cut at 45 deg. Thanks |
| What a spectacular rose bush! It needs to be pruned way back, though, and now is not the time to do it. For the time being, drive a metal plant stake or two into the ground next to the rose and tie up those heavy stems so they won't break off in a windstorm. When you deadhead the spent flowers, cut the stem down to a 5-leaflet leaf. This will reduce the bulk of the top of the plant and will also encourage repeat blooming. In December or January cut everything down to knee-high. Then remove any spindly stems or canes, retaining 3-5 of the sturdiest canes so the base has a vase shape. New flowering stems will develop below the pruning cuts of the canes you've retained and you'll have lots of flowers next spring and summer. When you deadhead, prune off the spent flower along with some of the stem, cutting down to a 5-leaflet leaf. You have a beautiful garden - keep up the good work! |
