I wonder, why do I always look in my pruning book first before I start
pruning the climbing roses? It is useless. The examples in the book look far
from the roses that grow in my garden.
In that book, all roses sprout from the base. However, that is not what
is happening in my garden. One thick stem rises 2 meters high from the ground
up. At that point the rose forks into an enormous “wig” of branches.
Do I have to cut the rose at ground level, so that it will branch from
there? Frankly, I don’t dare to do so. A year without roses is not an option to
me!
After some hesitation, I put the book back on its shelf and fetch my
pruning tools. I’ll simply have to “put my mind to zero”.
First I prune out the dead wood. Next I tie the branches that want to or
can be bend to the rose arch with a piece of black electrical wire. - Tip: This
electrical wire can be purchased at the hardware store. The black wire is inconspicuously
and can be used for several years. - The branches that can’t be bend or
protrude too much I simply cut off with the loppers.
Maybe you had expected a more sophisticated tip. But my roses bloom
profusely every year, so they don’t seem to mind my brutal approach.
So if you want to prune your climbing roses: Cut off what you think is too
much, bind the remaining solid to the rose arch and above all, don’t to think
too much!
Rosa Mme Alfred Carriere.
My pruning instructions.
The rose Mme Alfred Carriere needs pruning!
Work in progress.
That looks promising for the summer.
The electric wire is very useful in the garden.
From above. Everything is tied up.
Summer.
The same spot. Rosa Mme. Alfred Carriere.
We have to be patient .......
..... to see the roses flowering again.
Very good tips! It is easy to get confused by the books...
ReplyDeleteTanks for the tip. Especially about he electric wire. /Katarina
ReplyDeleteDear Hetty, some of my roses also don't want to play by the rules of the pruning books ;-)!
ReplyDeleteYou did an awesome job pruning your 'Mme. Alfred Carriere'. I am very surprised though, how small this rose is in your garden. I planted mine into the ground about two and a half years ago and she seems to become a monster. May I ask: How old is yours?
Love the photo of 'Mme. Alfred Carierre' and the little white table and chairs in the foreground. So romantic!
Wishing you a wonderful week!
Christina
Oh I love the before + after hairstyles! Wonderful tips! <3 your garden is beautiful!
ReplyDelete