Question:
Is this a good time to transplant several mature roses from one garden area to another? Should it be done before or after they have been pruned, or does it matter? Also, can I plant new roses in the same spot?Answer:
- Most gardening books recommend transplanting roses while they are dormant; however, with our mild temperatures, roses never go entirely dormant; it is also not unusual for them to have buds and blooms, although the foliage looks crummy.
- The ideal window to relocate or transplant roses along with other landscape shrubs and conifers is from Thanksgiving through mid-March. Typically, most gardeners wait until after the holidays to transplant.
- You prune before or after transplanting; it doesn't matter. I prefer to prune them back first so there are fewer branches and thorns to get in the way by reducing the height and sides.
- Roses have an extensive spreading root system, so you'll leave some behind. You may bare-root the plants. The lack of soil now is not a problem because of the cool conditions. You can also spread this task over several days or weekends.
- Once out of the ground, you can store them above the ground by covering them with a tarp or plant them in temporary containers. Roses survive beautifully after being mistreated.
- When you're ready to replant, avoid a common mistake and plant them too deep. The top of the first root should be at or near the soil surface. All too often, the bushes are planted up to the bud union.
- The bud union is where the desirable rose variety is budded to the rootstock and should be above ground. The distance between the roots and the bud union varies significantly with each bush.
- Problems develop from the poor drainage of our clay soils and the constant moisture from frequent watering. I'm unaware of any issues preventing you from planting a new rose in the old location(s).
- The new roses for 2025 and many of your old favorites will arrive at your favorite garden center later this month.
Question:
This summer, I planted three large Coleus plants in pots in partial shade. Will they survive the winter or should I take them inside?Answer:
- Coleus is a plant that adapts to indoor and outdoor conditions. They will survive the winter outside if temperatures stay above forty degrees. However, they grow nicely indoors in a room with lots of direct or indirect light.
- To be safe, I'd move them indoors now and then back outdoors in early March after the danger of frost has passed.
- At that time, I'd prune off fifty percent of the growth and fertilize with Osmocote or other similar time-release fertilizer to encourage the lateral growth.