Regional Growing Guide: So. California Coastal & Inland Valleys
From the sunny beaches of California to the blistering deserts of the Southwest, this region is marked by nearly year-round sunshine and little rain. Roses bloom from April through December in the more temperate parts, while they take a rest during August and September in the great deserts, where searing temperatures vary little between day and night. There, roses have two seasons: spring and fall, with peak blooming in April and October. Ample irrigation is key. Soils may be alkaline or sand: it's important to amend with plenty of organic matter. The best roses are heat tolerant, and tend to bear darker leaves and bloom in more intensely saturated colors.
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Pruning Roses Made Easy
Once daytime weather has cooled sufficiently to make meandering through the garden a pleasure, it's time to relish the reblooming roses. Although some varieties may have been blooming almost constantly since March, there have been lulls when old blooms are fading and new buds are forming. This is prime time to do some minor pruning that will have major results: a last flush of color to brighten your Thanksgiving and possibly your end-of-the-year holiday décor.
Here are some tips for promoting this year-round splendor. The really great thing about these guidelines is that they were developed for those of us who don't have hours to spend in the garden.
Making Cuts for Bouquets
As you cut a vaseful of blooms, cut canes as long as possible while still maintaing the shape of the bush. You don't want to leave a gaping hole that has no side growth to fill in. If you can, cut just above an outward-facing node. Then, retrim the cut rose just below the lowest node. In both cases, you don't want to leave the internode portion of the branch either on the bush, where it will die back, or on the cut stem, where it will not absorb water easily.
Trimming the Bush
Take a look at the whole bush, and trim long branches with no buds to an outside-facing node as far down as the general shape of the bush will allow. This will encourage more interior growth and flower buds on canes.
Fertilizing and Watering
After pruning, spread compost under the plants. Use organic mulch because it contributes valuable nutrients to the soil as it breaks down over the season. Apply an amendment or fertilizer no closer to the trunk than about 6 inches, and extend it at least 12 inches beyond the dripline of the foliage. This provides constant gentle feeding to the plant roots.
The best way to water roses is with soaker hoses or drip irrigation. Cover the hoses with compost or mulch, and water every week or two. These methods ensure that the water will go down to the roots rather than evaporating, and they reduce the problem of splash-up of soil-borne particles and diseases onto foliage.
A Look Ahead to Winter
Now, back to pruning. You can do your winter pruning any time between Thanksgiving and Presidents' Day. For beginning rose gardeners, late February or even March might be a better time. By then the new shoots have begun growing so you don't have to guess where they will appear.
First, remove all the growth higher than your elbows - easily done with a hedge trimmer or loppers - with no attention to nodes or direction buds are pointing. This is to just remove all the top growth. Then start paying attention to cutting out the big branches that are unproductive or crossing.
Next, remove smaller branches that cross or head in towards the center of the plant or parallel another stronger branch. Now, you'll be able to actually see the potential plant, where the remaining branches will head for new growth. This is the time for fine-tuning; shorten top growth to the final height you want (usually about 24 inches) and trim out scrawny side branches.