“A rose, is a rose, is a rose, is a rose,” so wrote Gertrude Stein. The beauty and fragrance of roses have been extolled over the years in poetry and song. As beautiful as roses are, they do require some care if they are to perform at their best. Pruning exceptions: For foothill gardeners with…
The Basics of Pruning Pruning isn’t just about keeping plants tidy, it’s about enhancing the health, structure, and appearance of your landscape. With the right tools and a little know-how, you can promote stronger growth, reduce disease, and even increase flowering in your trees and shrubs.Pruning…
Going by common names such as Blueblossom, California Lilac or Mountain Lilac, it's not surprising that Ceanothus are popular shrubs for many styles of gardens, with spectacular blooms in colors ranging from pale to very deep blue/purple or white. Blooming in late winter or spring, they are valuable early…
Stephen Reid credits the UC Master Gardener program for preparing him for his role as assistant curator for the rose portion of the famous botanic garden in Pasadena.
Scientific Name Camellia japonica; C. sasanqua; C. sinensis Special Considerations: Japonica buds set in later summer and bloom later from Winter to Spring.Sasanqua buds set in late summer and rest and open in the late fall to early winter.Sinensis buds set in the summer and bloom in the fall.The…
Scientific Name Lagerstroemia The natural habit of Crape Myrtles is to produce multiple trunks. However, they may be trained to become a single trunk tree. Trees with multiple trunks develop a wider canopy and carry a larger number of blossoms. However, single-trunk trees still produce a profusion of…
Scientific Name Fuchsia spp. Fuchsia are susceptible to frost damage. Therefore, this guide recommends pruning in mid-March, after the threat of freezing temperatures has passed. However, some Marin locations seldom freeze at night, and some fuchsia varieties are very hardy. If frost damage is not an…
Scientific Name H. macrophylla; H. serrata; H. aspera; H. quercifolia These hydrangea varieties bloom in the early spring on wood that formed during the previous growing season. Pruning is best performed in mid-summer, after the peak of the bloom. This timing is important, because it allows the plant…
Scientific Name H. paniculata; H. arborescens These hydrangea varieties begin to bloom in the mid-summer on wood that forms during the current growing season. They can bloom well into the fall. Pruning is best performed during the winter, before new growth begins.Removing spent blooms at the base can…
Scientific Name Loropetalum chinense Loropetalum have two blooming cycles. They begin flowering in late winter (usually February) on old wood that formed during the previous growing season and cover themselves in masses of blossoms through March. They then bloom sporadically throughout the summer on…
