skip to main content

Would you shovel prune?

9 years ago

Wild Blue Yonder hasn't been much of a performer for me. This will be it's fourth season. I bought it from a local (decent) nursery and it is definitely grafted, though I'm not sure on what. Most likely for this area would be multiflora. The first two seasons it gave me one small flush in the spring and then languished without flowering again. I thought it might be getting too much shade so I moved it to a sunnier spot in the fall of 2013. Last season it did even worse - a grand total of one measly bloom on one solitary cane. Up until recently I've been willing to give it one more chance and see what it does this year, but then I went a little overboard on new roses and I find myself eyeballing the real estate it's taking up. I guess what I want to know is - does anyone else have success or failure stories with this rose? Somehow I find it morally challenging to dig up a rose that isn't stone dead, even if I don't like it that much!

Featured Answer

jjpeace (zone 5b Canada)

9 years ago

Oh, this rose is a big bloomer in my garden. It is one of my best grower. It is a blooming machine for me. It is a tidy in shrub form as well and I would definitely consider mass planting if I have the space. It is also very disease resistant for me.

0

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
9 years ago
Maybe that certain one is just a dud rosebush?...
0
Related Discussions
which would you Shovel Prune?
Q
Comments (32)
I would SP: Chicago Peace--think it is just a dud bush--scrawny. Color Magic--ditto to Chicago Peace Cabana--Good bush, flowers are only striped for 1/2 day then just a muddled mess. Not attractive at all. Chris Evert--Second year bush is disappointingly not growing at all. One bloom all year so far. About Face--Great bush, consistently the ugliest blooms in the garden by far--raggedy with no form or fragrance. These 5 are safe for the remainder of this year, but next Spring they better watch out if there is no improvement. It is a good thing I don't have any in the pot ghetto ready to transplant to any of these garden spots!! John
...See More
To shovel-prune or not to shovel-prune-Sancy de Parabere
Q
Comments (3)
It's entirely up to you, of course. But why stick with a rose which seems prone to disease and you don't even like the bloom? I checked out helpmefind to see if there were any comments, but there were not. I've had two experiences with roses I didn't like: (1)People here advised me to let Dark Lady grow another year to see if I liked it better. I did that, and now it's a favorite bush. It just needed time. (2)I've looked at that overgrown, thorny, vigorous, mildew-ridden, orange flower on Tropicana for years and years. Just dug it up and enjoyed every minute of it. So...you decide. Probably wouldn't hurt to let it go to next spring, and you could replace then if you still don't like it. Tell the bush it's on "death row" unless it shapes up. Sometimes that works. :-)
...See More
Wanted Anyone Pruning Or Shovel Pruning There Roses?
Q
Comments (1)
posting so this will drop down in list
...See More
What have perennials have you shovel pruned?
Q
Comments (11)
'Blushing Shortwood' phlox went last week. I don't think it had powdery mildew, but the leaves turn yellow. I moved it to full sun last fall and it was just as bad, plus it flopped and didn't recover after a hard rain. My climbing rose 'Darlow's Enigma' is going in the fall. It is just too thorny and I'm done bleeding for her. It also gets a fungus from my neighbor's rose right across the fence. I should shovel prune 'Goldflame' honeysuckle and Hypericum 'Albury Purple' because of disease but I like them too much, so I'm willing to live with yellowing leaves. I might treat the honeysuckle next spring and see if that helps.
...See More
nanadollZ7 SWIdaho
9 years ago
I have battled the same moral dilemma as you, redwolfdoc. But I'm getting better at removing roses that don't please me, since I just don't have the "real estate" to keep roses that aren't what I really like. I have grown Wild Blue Yonder for years, and because his piece of ground isn't one I want to put another rose on, he has stayed (by the skin of his thorns). I don't care for this rose much with it large ungainly growth habit. In wind, which we have quite a bit of, WBY's canes ten to snap off at the base, being quite brittle. The blooms are lovely until the strong sun starts up in summer; then they fade pretty badly. That's beside the point, though. If your rose doesn't please you, remove it, and plant one that does. It's OK to do this. Diane
0
seil zone 6b MI
9 years ago
If you don't like it or it isn't doing well yank it and get one you love. Life is short. Don't spend it caring for something you really don't love!
redwolfdoc_z5
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks Everyone!

Diane, Seil, you've given me the strength to evict WBY. Feels good!

Seil, I could have used that advice fifteen years ago when I moved to LA with the wrong guy! :D

JJ, you're in Markham, right? I'm in Scarborough. I'd be happy to save WBY for you if you like, though as Jim says, this bush could be a dud.
0
Garden Time 6B Boise Idaho
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You can consider offering it to a friend.

I have received other people's DUD plants, and they went gangbusters for me and are among my favorite plants. Sometimes it is just your immediate environment isn't right for the plant, or some other rather arbitrary thing that was outside what any of us would know to consider.

It will appease your inner conscious, gives the plant another chance at life and if it dies, its no real lose to your or your beneficiary. Who knows, maybe your friend will turn into another gardener comrade.

(Ooops just noticed you offered it lol.......something about great minds).
0

Related Stories

CALIFORNIA GARDENING California Gardener's February Checklist

Celebrate 5 California classics: plants that defy winter with bright flowers, luscious fragrance and, for some, delicious taste

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 5 Essential Considerations for a Landscape Design Project

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Get your winter garden fix by planning an entirely new landscape or just an update for a single garden stretch

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Late-Winter and Early-Spring Bloomers for the West

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Tired of waiting for spring to arrive? Try these drought-tolerant, flowering plants for color that starts in late winter

FALL GARDENING Make This Fall’s Garden the Best Ever

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Learn the most important tip for preventing buyer’s remorse, plus get more valuable buying and planting advice

SPRING GARDENING Spring Gardens Are Waking — Here’s What to Do in March

By Annie Thornton

Excitement fills the air when gardens come back to life. These guides will help you make the most of yours

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Western Sword Fern Adds Prehistoric Drama

For distinctive looks and easy care in a shade garden, go for North American native Polystichum munitum

EXTERIORS Where Front Yards Collide: Property Lines in Pictures

By Mitchell Parker

Some could be twins; others channel the Odd Couple. You may never look at property boundaries the same way again

MONTHLY HOME CHECKLISTS To-Dos: Your November Home Checklist

By Laura Gaskill

Give your home a festive holiday air without running out of steam, and stay safe and snug as temperatures drop

BEFORE AND AFTERS See 6 Yards Transformed by Losing Their Lawns

By Annie Thornton

Wondering whether a turf lawn is the best use of your outdoor space? These homeowners did, and they found creative alternatives

MOST POPULAR Houzz Call: Show Us Your Winter View!

By Annie Thornton

Share pictures of your home and garden in winter — whatever your climate, architecture and plantings

Sponsored

More Discussions

Anyone Growing Bring Me Sunshine?

32

Zone 6-3 Garden blooming Spring 2024

29

RRV in public or businesses

22

Lanternflies on my Roses....

2

Is this crown gall?

10