Rosebriar Newsletter
Spring 2008 - Pruning Roses and Lilacs
The season seems backward as I write this. I remember warm, sunny days in January and February and snow and frosts the first week of April this year then a 79 degree day two weeks later! There may be early blooming fruit crops affected but the tulips will be in full splendor with just a few sun filled days!
This is why we prune roses in March even though books commonly tell us to prune in February. If you have shaped a rose to the special outward facing bud too early, you leave no margin of error for late freezes.Roses never really go dormant. They will leaf out even though the stem has been frozen, particularly late fall growth that never really hardened off. If you cut into the stem and it is coffee colored, the stem is dead even though new leaf growth may be coming from energy still in the stem. However, no nutrition or water can come from the roots and the branch will wilt and die. Cut until you find nice apple green wood. Prune away dead wood first, then the weakest of crossing canes, and pick up all debris to minimize the spread of disease. When in doubt ask about Rosebriar’s rose pruning service.
Lilacs are absolutely a wonderful shrub for the northwest.
They love the sun and a generous application of bone meal every few years.
Understand the plant habit before pruning and prune after flowering. Does the bush tend to be multi-stem and want to be bushy like the common old fashioned lilac (one of the most fragrant)?
Just deadhead old blooms and thin out the overabundance of root suckers. Always leave a few, well-spaced basal branches to keep the plant regenerated and decide which of the trunks need to be removed to thin out. When removing these non productive old woody trunks, cut them cleanly to the ground. The eye always goes to the ground.
Does it want to grow upright like the French hybrids? These tend not to send up multiple stems. Prune out the spindly non-productive growth and keep the branches well spaced.
I love the newer hyacinth flora hybrids which really do bloom on younger plants, have wonderful fragrance and graceful habits. Remember that air and light circulation are the goals as well as a pleasing shape. Please do not hedge or make into top-heavy, round balls. The branching should be part of the whole and not a tangled mess. Cut lilacs when just opening for your vase and accompany with roses, iris and peonies. Split the bottom of the stem vertically an inch or less with sharp hand pruners.
Cut and immediately put into deep warm water to soak up water before arranging. Enjoy!