Growing roses in mild winter weather

Hi Marianne, I was delighted to discover your column in the weekly newspaper, the Kent Reporter! I followed your email link and was again delighted to find much more gardening advice.

My question has to do with rose care. I read some of the consulting rosarian’s comments about “planting bud unions 3-4 inches deep” and “doing a late November knee-high rough pruning and then doing the fine pruning when the forsythias bloom.” I read her bio and saw that she lives in Connecticut.

Do you recommend this care for our area here in Western Washington, as well?

Also, I have wondered if this area was considered a “mild winter area” as I have listened to some of Ciscoe Morris’s advice and other gardening experts describe care requirements for different parts of the state. Is it?

Thank you. It is wonderful to have a local gardening expert to address my questions to!
Susan

Posted by on November 22, 2014