skip to main content

Should I just buy new ones?

13 years ago

Dear Garden folk

I pruned to much and too early and now I'm ready to give up. I have followed the wonderful ideas from Gardenweb memebrs, I have nursed and prayed and my 'Lovely Fairies' still look really bad. It's not just that I'm impatoient, It's just that I am counting on their flowers to work with the rest of my garden.

Should I just bite the bulet and replace them?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

roseseek
13 years ago
While not impossible, it is often rather difficult to prune a rose to death with one bad pruning. Most likely, your plants will survive and with TIME, never show any affects of your pruning efforts. As for replacing them, that is totally up to you. TIME is the operative word. If they are front and center to the design you have and their appearance offends you, replace them. I know how difficult it is for some people to overlook such things, and as it IS your gardena and your money, spend it if it makes you happier.

If you can overlook these roses long enough, the greatest chances are they will recover and be fine. "Long enough" is up to you. If you do replace them, move the originals somewhere else in the garden and enjoy. Kim
mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
13 years ago
What are you expecting from these plants? This spring has been very slow and cold, and things are several weeks behind where they usually are. However, roses don't usually start blooming until June.

So on the one hand, you are being very impatient. On the other, roses may not be the plant you really want in that space. If you are looking for a spring bloomer, there are a lot of shrubs that bloom much earlier than roses.
Related Discussions
Canning Jar Question
Q
Comments (46)
Members of my family used to can in mayo jars (boiling water bath, not pressure) but began to notice in more recent years that the mayo jars had become noticeably thinner. That's when they stopped saving them for canning. Every canner, especially one who cans in high-volume, is going to lose a jar occasionally, but I still contend, whether it's commercial jars re-used or standard Ball/Kerr/Bernardin jars, if they are treated with respect, the loss rate is minimal. I do a lot of canning and I honestly don't remember the last time I lost a jar. Certainly I have lost jars, but in thirty years I'm guessing I've lost three through breakage. Ironically, I've never lost a commercial jar or a very old jar (i.e. Atlas Mason or others), only Ball or Kerr, but that may simply be a function of numbers. I'm very comfortable with these commercial jars and particularly for short-term processing would rather use these than toss them out. Definitely I feel it's a more appropriate use than throwing them into a landfill or even recycling. However, mayonnaise now comes in plastic and many companies, like Classico, are now preventing secondary usages by re-designing materials or the neck in such a way that it's impossible. Carol
...See More
Washington Palms
Q
Comments (4)
Washingtonia are damaged by temperatures below 20 degrees F. Many local areas fell below their minimum temperature requirement this past winter. You will have similar damage every time this happens. It was also unusually wet last November, this may have also been a problem for some specimens. Some Mediterranean fan palms (Chamaerops) appear to have also had some trouble. Your plants may perhaps come back later in the season, however if you do not wish to have similar episodes in future you may want to replace with windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei).
...See More
Windburned/Sunburned Tomatoes
Q
Comments (3)
I'm also in upstate NY on the VT border, zone 5 and I won't be putting out plants until close to June. We've had frost warnings here the past three nights and I don't have anything to worry about. As for hardening off, I don't put plants out to harden off until Im pretty sure that there will be no frost. The white you saw is no doubt wind or sunburn, the wind was wicked here Sunday, but they'll recover, just let the damaged leaves fall off normally, don't remove them manually. Once the plants are put out to harden off there should be no need to keep taking them in and putting them out b'c they have to get used to to cruel world out there to do their best. Again, I don't know your gardening zone nor where you are in true upstate NY, and I don't mean W NYS, LOL, but I'd leave them out for now and only bring them in or protect them if there are heavy rains or a sudden Frost warning. No need to buy new plants at a nursery. Carolyn
...See More
Should I fix Propane Pool Heater
Q
Comments (1)
How old is it? Scott
...See More
zack_lau z6 CT ARS Consulting Rosarian
13 years ago
The Lovely Fairy is a polyantha--a late blooming rose family in our climate--sometimes they don't even bloom in time for our rose show, which is the 3rd Sunday in June. If you need something that is in full bloom in May, you need something else.
daleyc
Original Author
13 years ago
I've had these for 3 years. I understand that growth is slow after this long winter but the Lovely's were so lush before I pruned them.

I guess i'll keep on with the positive thoughts and wait until June and see how how make out...if they don't,well, I guess i'll look in to replacing them

Thanks for your thoughts and advice!

Dale
seil zone 6b MI
13 years ago
Patience, patience, patience! Even if you cut them off to the ground they will grow back. And probably thicker and lusher than ever! Pruning is the best way to stimulate new growth. But you also have to understand what mad-gallica is saying. It's been really, really cold and wet and gray out there this spring! They're cold and sleepy and can't wake up because there's no warm sunshine. When the temps go up and the sun comes out they'll jump!

Related Stories

Just One Wall: When the Accent Wall Works

DECORATING GUIDES Decorate With Intention: To Buy or Not to Buy

By Laura Gaskill

Before you make your next home-decor purchase, ask yourself these 10 questions

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Time to Buy a Clock

By Two Story Cottage

Cell phone screens just can’t compete with the charm of analog timepieces like these

FURNITURE What to Know Before Buying Bar Stools

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Learn about bar stool types, heights and the one key feature that will make your life a whole lot easier

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Beautiful Things You Can Feel Good About Buying

By Morgan Spenla

Upcycled, ecofriendly or just made responsibly, these home accessories and furniture pieces will keep your conscience clear

MOVING Home-Buying Checklist: 20 Things to Consider Beyond the Inspection

By Laura Gaskill

Quality of life is just as important as construction quality. Learn what to look for at open houses to ensure comfort in your new home

HOME OFFICES A Nice Little Desk Just Where You Want One

By Lauren Walser

Do you have a desk area hiding in plain sight? These stylish work perches give rooms extra purpose

LIFE You Said It: ‘Just Because I’m Tiny Doesn’t Mean I Don’t Go Big’

By Becky Harris

Changing things up with space, color and paint dominated the design conversations this week

COLOR Why You Should Paint Your Walls More Than One Color

Using multiple colors can define zones, highlight features or just add that special something

FURNITURE How to Buy a Quality Sofa That Will Last

Learn about foam versus feathers, seat depth, springs, fabric and more for a couch that will work for years to come

Sponsored

J.Holderby - Renovations

4 Reviews

Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

More Discussions

Anyone get your roses from Garden Roses yet?

723

Leap into Spring with Us - Seasonal Thread

676

Caribbean Breeze so lovely

5

What support for Lady Hillingdon?

8

Vulcano for Moses

4