The Dead of Winter (Friday, January 15, 1999)

.... is actually one of the liveliest times around here. Beneath the appearance of dormancy burgeoning life is apparent and the air is pregnant with promises of spring. California, of course, has a somewhat unique climate. True winter is brief here and some of the native plants begin their usual spring bloom cycles in January and February. The manzanitas are covered with their tiny, bell-like blossoms; the Flowering Currant is about ready to burst into bloom -- the hummingbirds who stay here for the winter are anxiously awaiting these drooping clusters of lovely pink flowers; narcissus are popping up everywhere, perfuming my garden; it won't be long until the first of the wildflowers (usually the beautiful little Shooting Stars) are open. I love this quiet time. The roses are covered with the plump buds of new leaves to come. Their stems are bare right now, revealing the traceries of their structures, the colors of the wood, the unique arrangements of prickles and branches which bespeak their genetic heritage. I always enjoy being able to view my roses in this state, simple and unadorned. I find them as beautiful as I do in the spring and summer when they are lush with blooms and foliage. It is a good time to prune and I've begun my annual work of cutting back and shaping. The skeletons of the plants are easy to observe, making pruning obvious and simple. I'm always amazed at how much wood I remove, even when I'm pruning "lightly." Plants just keep making more and more of themselves. All they eat is a little manure and some sunshine and yet they produce an incredible amount of plant material -- wheelbarrows full. The Sweetbriar alone filled the wheelbarrow three times with pieces of wood that I had to remove to allow the gas man to get to the propane tank. What a glorious monster that weed is! Fantin-Latour has become a sprawling mess that I can't bear to reduce in size -- I know that every branch will eventually be covered with the gorgeous blossoms. Yet it is taking over the path. Henri Martin also expands relentlessly, its thorny canes creating an impenetrable area in the front garden. I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and cut those two back a little. I love the old roses because they will generously present me with their bounty whether I prune them or not. The Hybrid Teas are less forgiving and I spend more time making sure they are "properly" pruned in the hope that they will respond with good blossoms, even though they don't like the coastal climate very much. I'd rather be garden-cleaning than house-cleaning. I'm glad the weather is letting me spend my time out of doors. Let the dishes pile up in the sink -- I'm in the rose garden!

Previous Rose Wraps Many Changes (Monday, April 17, 2000) Where's Alice??? (Monday, August 16, 1999) Ah, the Celebration...... (Wednesday, May 19, 1999) Long Time, No Wrap.... (Tuesday, April 6, 1999) Is It Spring Yet??? (Wednesday, March 10, 1999) Mothers Day in Mendocino... (Friday, February 26, 1999) Old Blush (Tuesday, February 9, 1999) Plum Blossoms (Wednesday, January 27, 1999) The Dead of Winter (Friday, January 15, 1999) The Old Year Passeth.... (Monday, January 4, 1999) Alba Madness! (Thursday, December 10, 1998) The Weather Again (Thursday, November 19, 1998) El Nino/La Nina (Monday, November 9, 1998)

---

White Rabbit Roses
P.O. Box 191, Elk, CA 95432
Proprietor: Alice Flores
Colophon