December

What's Happening in Your Rose Garden Serviced by Witherspoon Rose Culture

December

During the month of December, the spray program has ceased and in Elite and Ultimate Elite gardens, Witherspoon Rose Culture is preparing the rose bushes for the winter.  We will be doing "Cut Back", cutting the plants down to waist height, and "Mounding", raking or piling up mulch onto the base of the plant, during the weeks proceeding the Christmas holidays.  Cutback is a crucial part in helping the plant go dormant to prepare for colder temperatures.  It also helps to tidy the bush up so that long canes are not blown around and iced over during possible winter storms.  Mounding is also a crucial process in winter preparation, but it serves to keep the bud union (base) of the plant protected.  Our temperature fluctuations and heavy winds with occasional ice storms can wreak havoc on the rose.  Plants that do not get this service can struggle with dieback from cold damage and decreased cane production in the spring due to the bud union being exposed to winter weather.  As a result of these two maladies, unprepared plants get damaged more each winter and eventually die.  If you do not have this service, we strongly recommend doing it yourself.  We are providing a free class covering "Winter Preparation" on December 11 at Durham and Charlotte locations for those without the Cutback and Mounding service.  Happy Holidays!!