Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
side growths after flowering in the same
fashion as for all once flowering roses (see
Figures 4.31 and 4.32). Many of these
climbers are extremely strong growers,
however, and will need thinning rather than
more considered pruning. This can be done
after flowering and into the autumn. The
removal of very old flowering stems every few
years can be left until winter/spring. New
shoots should arise from the base.
deadheading, shortening back side growths by
no more than two-thirds, and clearing weak,
twiggy and dead wood. Never prune more
than about two-thirds of the growth off. The
timing of this pruning should be dictated by
what cultivar or style of rose you are growing
and your climate (see Tables 4.10 to 4.13).
Weeping roses
The most successful weeping roses are
grafted with cultivars featuring long lax
growth so that they cascade downwards
rather than point skyward. The ramblers and
climbers are most successful and certainly
vigorous (see Table 4.14). Don't bother to
shorten the long growths as these will
develop the side growth that in turn carries
the flowers. Deadhead all of them and,
depending on your cultivar, shorten the side
growths to two to three buds. If the canopy is
becoming overcrowded, cut back very old
wood to within a few buds of the graft.
Roses on sticks - weepers and standards
Weeping and standard roses are merely your
average cultivated rose grafted onto a long
rootstock or interstock to give them the height
above the ground. They should be pruned
according to the pruning requirements for
that type of cultivar (see Tables 4.10 to 4.13);
however, there are some points that need
consideration.
Standards and weepers will need sturdy
staking for their entire life. They are by
nature top-heavy and strong winds can easily
decapitate them.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas, whether you call them hortensias,
mop heads, lacecaps or 'Pee Wee', are favourite
garden plants throughout the world. Despite
their 'dying swan' act on hot days, hydrangeas
are tough shrubs well worth inclusion in the
landscape. Like many cultivated plants
pruning is seen as essential; a way of making
the plant seem dependent on human
intervention. This is not so. Hydrangeas will
grow and prosper with no pruning, but you
will end with an enormous plant with a very
small flowers dotted about. This may or may
not be better than the small shrub with a few
enormous blooms, as Christopher Lloyd said,
Roses on extremely long rootstocks do not
tend to produce fresh shoots from the graft
union as easily as those grafted as bush or
climbing roses, and consequently their
canopy does not renew as effectively.
Standard roses
As with all roses, aim to keep the centre of
bushy 'ball' open to provide plenty of air
circulation to prevent mildew and black spot.
Most standards have at least three grafts at the
apex of the stock. These form the framework
branches and rarely put out new strong
growth. Confine your pruning to
