Yes, is it summer thyme and time to trim up the perennials and annuals that have been beautiful companions to my roses and clean up the beds of debris and fallen blooms and leaves. There are areas that are definitely moving into the jungly stage. I also like to add a bit of mulch this time of year. Fresh mulch just looks so good and it is so helpful in moisture retention.
Some of the roses need a good hair cut too so they can move into making a beautiful fall display of blooms—which we will get to enjoy now that the Japanese Beetles are in their final decent! (Here’s a bit more on pruning.)
To add to the excitement of the summer trim, we have a fall rose show coming up in our ARS Illinois Indiana District to be held in St. Louis (more information on that here). If all goes as planned, I will have some fresh blooms to take to the show. Now I am not the most competitive or competent horticulture exhibitor, but it is quite thrilling to see a blue ribbon on one of my babies. It does happen from time to time.😉 I’ll have a better chance in the arrangement category. I love that best! But, there are so many talented people in this district! #stiffcompetition
Here’s a bokay I picked last weekend to take to a friend’s dinner party...
TIMING
Most roses will repeat bloom in 40 – 50 days after a trim. So wish me luck. It really is a win win situation … I’ll take the beautiful blooms anytime. But, if I have an award winner at the show, you will hear about it. 😱
JUST BE
Wednesday I had a day off and a chance to “just be” in the garden. No real agenda. A little work, but mostly plotting and planning. There is nothing quite like taking some time to “just be.” So grateful for that day.
BLOOMERS THIS WEEK
Here are some of the pictures from this week…
Happy Bloom Thyme Friday from my jungly summer garden!
Beautiful!
I trim off spent blooms, shape the shrub (occasionally at this time of year a bush will throw out an extremely long cane–that happen last week with a Dick Clark rose and I trimmed that cane down to the size of the rest of the bush), remove any damaged, diseased or dead canes. More on the clean up stage… remove diseased leaves and any leaves that have fallen around the shrub. Those diseases will just stay there and be ready to attack the plant again. Especially fungal disease like Black Spot. Here is an article I did on pruning… https://thegardendiary.com/2016/04/08/rose-buzz-rose-pruning/ Questions welcome.
Your “jungle” is lovely! How do you give a rose bush a good haircut? Mine could probably use one too, but I’m not sure just what you mean.
Teresa, You late summer garden is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Elena! I am getting in the mood for new roses. We are recording Rose Chats with the suppliers or what the new releases will be for 2018 and I am getting uber excited! There’s something pretty one.
Ohhhh! I can hardly wait to hear about new roses. I have a new bed to fill up,
Your
Dear Teresa, Always lovely to see photos of your garden, aside from the beautiful plants I love the structures in your garden, the elegantly curving paths, the romantic wooden gates and trellises. Good luck with show, I am sure it will be lots of fun for everyone!