A Face Lift for an Old Rose….
Picture an old rose bush that had been neglected over the years. With new owners now in charge of the garden, this rose received much needed attention back in January.
Some of you may remember my post “An Overgrown, Nameless Rose” back in January. This old rose bush graced the front garden of Double S Farms, which is where my mother, sister and her family are new residents.
Unlike many rose bushes, this particular one continued to bloom without any help….no fertilizer, sprays or pruning. But, there was a lot of dead growth and old canes (branches) that needed to be removed. In other words, this rose bush needed a face lift.
When I finished pruning, this is what was left. My mother, Pastor Farmer, may have been a little unprepared for how far back I had pruned her roses, but I assured her that this was essential for their health and that new growth would soon appear.
Well, this is what they looked like this evening, just 9 weeks later, when we stopped by Double S Farms to celebrate both my husband and nephew’s birthdays.
The rose bushes are flush with new growth and there are no old canes (branches) to be seen anywhere. I like to think of pruning as like giving a plant a face lift. The results are usually remarkable and you don’t have to pay a lot of money like you would to a plastic surgeon 😉
For me, the icing on the cake was to see both of these formerly neglected rose bushes covered with rosebuds getting ready to open.
I can hardly wait….
Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a author, horticulturist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."
How wonderful to inherit an antique rose bush! And a white-flowered variety at that.
We go to the Antique Rose Emporium garden in San Antonio occasionally. They stock a variety of species hardy for this area, not just heritage roses. But the heritage roses have my heart. Discovered across Texas on graves and beside tumbled-down pioneer homes, these roses are lovely survivors.
Unfortunately, deer LOVE roses, so my only roses are small bushes hidden among the rosemary. I'd love to have a Mutabilis and see three colors of blooms covering the bush like summer butterflies.
Thanks for that update, Noelle! It does look beautiful and lush! Isn't blogging wonderful?
Terrific update, I rememeber the original post. I look forward to seeing the blooms. 🙂
You did a beautiful job, Noelle! Lol, I just had to pop in when I saw this title. Wish it were that easy to make this "old Rose" look young again:)
hee hee, I love the picture of you mum, she looks absolutely horrified.
Noelle I think you need to work some of that pruning magic over here on my roses. I have not even started to prune mine and as I look at them I see more dead wood than live wood.
I am amazed at how quickly they have come into bud considering that there wasn't much left of them in January. Must be some good earth over on the farm.
I agree, your Mom looks a bit shocked, but I bet she's thrilled now. Roses really do respond so well to a rejuvenating hair-cut, as evidenced by all that new growth!
An old rose bush has gone through the test of time. A new attention will kick the zest into action. Let there be more blooms. ~bangchik
Thanks for the update, Noelle! I went back read that older post! It is amazing a hair cut can do to an old rose! Looking forward to another update with them covered the flowers. I love white roses, so pure!
Your Mom does look like she is wondering if it will live. LOL! It will be much healthier and prettier now. I love the white blooms if that is what it will look like. She may let you prune other things now LOL!
AMAZING…
My favorite kind of post: real people doing good work in the garden with great results.
How funny your Mom…I believe roses take pruning as a challenge!
The rose bud looks so big compared to the previous unpruned counterpart.
Are the rose bloom bloomed bigger too?
I guess you have pruned tonnes of them. Wished I had those cuttings in my garden (lol)
I can hear the roses thanking you right now. What a difference you made…they look great!
I love "before" and "after" pictures! These are some of the best! Great job!
You did a fabulous job! I remember that post and I tell you I'd be shocked too if I were your mother and saw my roses trimmed like that. They came out wonderfully and 9 short weeks has done them wonders.
As soon as I saw this title, I was hoping it was an update about your rose pruning job shown previously. Your instructions were so clear and concise, I feel that sometimes people are intimidated by this task. Especially if it is a beloved old timer. Those new buds say it all. Well done, Noelle! 🙂
Frances
I am one of those intimidated by pruning roses, so that some of mine tend to be straggly. Thanks for showing before and after pruning and now. What a lovely rose. Does it have a scent?
FlowerLady
It would have shocked me a little to see a couple of bushes that big cut back to a couple of sticks 🙂 They are so fresh and beautiful now though. What a great job pruning those bushes!
What a difference it made. They look so healthy!
Noelle, What a great job you did! I love your analogy to plastic surgery! Happy Birthdays to yours! ;>) Carol
hehe, love the photo of your mom. It's as if she's saying, "What have you done to my rose bushes?!?"
The roses look great! That's Glamis Castle isn't it?
Wow! You inspired a novice in Austin to get a Glamis Castle. And this post about the pruning was a wonderful education. Thanks!