Gregg Lowery describing pruning techniques on the 'Eden' climbers at Garden Valley Ranch, January 2008.
In December, my email box was abuzz with inquiries –– friends were asking, “Have you read Gregg Lowery’s rose pruning article?”
No, I had no idea he’d put his pruning ideas into writing. I immediately clicked to the Vintage Gardens website to search for his December 2008 Newsletter. There in his friendly prose were all the wonderful ideas I heard last year when I attended his pruning seminar at Garden Valley Ranch. In my Times column, last February, I went on to write about how he’s challenged all the old notions of why and how we prune roses. But now you can read his well thought out ideas, by his own hand. Click here, to download the PDF.
PRUNING EXAMPLES
There are six of these massive 'Iceberg' covered pergolas at the far end of the central rose field at Garden Valley Ranch.
Since Gregg’s pruning seminar was at Garden Valley Ranch, I looked forward to observing how the many roses on the property are pruned, especially the showy 'Iceberg' climbers. I’ve always admired how the climbers are so heavily bloom laden. The pruned specimens were a sight to behold.
This is a section of the 'Ballerina' hedge, at the entrance of Garden Valley Ranch, in season it is always bubbling with blooms.
I was fascinated to note that the canes, on both the climbers and the 'Ballerina' hedge, ended with a cluster of branching laterals that look like mini trees. In the past, I would have thought pruning like this would result in congested growth. Live and learn!
PRUNING CUTS
I used to slant my pruning cuts––now they're straight across.
Last year, when Gregg debunked the notion that slanted pruning cuts are a must, I tried my best to retrain myself. It took awhile, and this year they are pretty much straight across. However when I attack a shrub with hedge pruners, cutting style is a non-issue. In the end, I don’t think it matters much.
MY GARDEN
Above is a 'before-pruning' view of my garden, and below is the after shot, as seen through our living room window. After many rainstorms the garden has settled into that desolate winter look.
I've always enjoyed photographing the rose cycle at all stages. This is a shot of our side garden from a few years ago, after the damage was done––pruning that is.
This post will probably be too late for many of you. It won't be long till you're at it again though. At least you can tuck Gregg's newsletter into your virtual pruning folder, if you haven't already.
