260 



GARDEN GUIDE 



Roses 



If we observe Rose bushes we will be able to see that they bloom 

 from what were the strong shoots the previous season, and that these 

 shoots become weaker when another shoot begins to grow lower down. 

 There is an annual renewal of wood, therefore, and this is why 

 pruning is necessary. Most Roses must be pruned severely at planting. 

 Some climbers are ruined from the start by too httle pruning. In order 

 to keep the bushes opened nicely, the cut must always be made to an 

 outside bud. Take care not to leave stubs above a bud either; 

 the tips always die back and may die back farther than preferred. 



Briers and Roses for Landscape Effect 



Those Roses which are to be seen in mass and with which a pro- 

 fusion of bloom is to be perf erred to a few slightly larger blooms should 

 be pruned but little. The main work is to improve the shape of the bush 

 and cut out the very oldest wood. Wood which has flowered year after 

 year should be cut out from the base of the plant so that the younger 

 shoots may be given a chance. Prune in March. 



Climbing and Polyantha 

 Roses 



Little pruning is necessary in Spring 

 except to cut out any branches which 

 have been killed. The old wood can 

 usually be gradually removed year after 

 year. All new canes should be care- 

 fully tied up. Prune in March. 



Hybrid Perpetuals 



Various soils and climates cause the 

 Hybrid Perpetuals to be either very tall 

 bushes or, in other localities only to 

 attain a height of three feet. The 

 varieties differ greatly in height and 

 amount of pruning needed. The weak- 

 est shoots should be pruned the most 

 severely; in the same way' the strong- 

 est varieties need the least pruning. 

 Never leave a weak shoot. Care must 

 be exercised that all shoots are not 



V \ U 



Pruning a Dwarf Rose 



The dotted lines show the growth 

 or stems that are to be cut away. 

 As a rule amateur gardeners are 

 too much afraid to prune hard. 

 "The weaker the growth the 

 harder the pruning," is a fairly 

 safe rule to follow 



