It’s a bit parky out! -11 degrees here tomorrow in the wind. Perfect weather to curl up in the warm with a hot drink. Or, if you’re me, perfect weather to get up early and run 35km on the frozen footpaths and bridleways of South Oxfordshire. Yes, fear not, I shall wrap up warm. If I don’t snooze the whole afternoon away, I plan to get on with more rose pruning, I still have several to do. In the meantime, let’s do Six on Saturday. Six things, in the garden, on a Saturday. Could be anything, you decide!
Here are my Six for this week.
1 – Echinops seed head. One of many perennials I haven’t yet got around to cutting back, this clump of echinops is still adding a certain spiky something to the sunny border.
2 – Climbing roses, pruned. Last weekend I braved the elements for a couple of hours. I cut back a few clematis but most of the time was spent pruning and training a few of my climbing roses. There are two in this picture, ‘The Pilgrim’ on the left and the exceedingly thorny ‘Dr Eckener’ on the right. I have wires at 30cm (ish) intervals up the wall so it was a matter of selecting suitable stems then carefully bending them into place and tying in. I’m aiming for close to horizontal as this is best for encouraging new stems to break. While I was at it, I removed all of last year’s foliage. This is a ‘just in case’ measure to reduce the spread of disease. I’ve also cleared all the dead leaves from the base of the plant.
3 – Hedera azorica. This amber-fruited ivy hasn’t done a great deal since I planted it late August, but it has begun to send out tendrils. I am hoping this will cover a good section of this fence, it allegedly gets to 10m if left to its own devices.
4 – Miscanthus zebrinus. Remember this from a couple of weeks ago? Its wavy perm has frizzed out significantly into a seedy bouffant.
5 – Yet another rose, pruned. This one is ‘Mme Alfred Carriere’ or mad alfie. She has grown enthusiastically since planting last spring. The stems are quite thin and bendy so relatively straightforward to train. This space is the height of the house, but quite narrow, so I’m constraining it a little by doubling it back on itself along the next wire up. Other stems I’ve just left to grow, with the intention of training them further up the wall this time next year. I’m hoping for lots of flower-bearing stems to break from the main stems.
6 – Magnolia buds. My dwarf magnolia is getting ready to burst forth. It will be superb for a couple of weeks, smelling fabulous too.
That’s your lot for this week. What are yours? If you’d like to have a go, just publish your post and pop a link to it in the comments below. If you also mention my blog in yours that would be triffic. For more details you can read the brief participant guide.
Have a super weekend, I hope it isn’t too arctic where you are.
I’ll back next weekend with another #SixOnSaturday.
I’m running late…. just made it (Six on Saturday well Sunday)
https://www.theherbalistscottage.com/blog/2021/2/14/six-on-saturday
LikeLike
You certainly had a great pruning spree! Well done! Those dwarf Magnolia buds look very promising! I’m looking forward to seeing them when they open. Here is the link to this week’s six from me.
https://hairbellsandmaples.com/2021/02/13/six-on-saturday-w8-2021-the-joys-of-summer-well-maybe-thats-not-always-the-case/
LikeLike
Those seed pods are beautiful! One of these days maybe I’ll figure out how to take more close-up photos… congrats on the roses. I think rose pruning is going to be my garden project for next weekend!
For this week, it was more like vegetable bed prep. Here are my six: https://intrepidephemera.com/2021/02/13/sun-rain-six-on-saturday-garden-update/
LikeLike
It’s been a struggle to get 6 photographs in this cold hasn’t it? I am impressed by your pruning and training regime with the roses. I’m looking forward to seeing them in the summer. Warmer weather tomorrow I think. Here are my 6, it was lovely out there once I made myself look: http://kasmaty.blogspot.com/2021/02/sixonsaturday-brrrr-its-cold-out-there.html
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have you got milder temperatures tomorrow? We are expecting a balmy 5 degrees here which would be better for your run, but I am sure you will enjoy it regardless of the weather! Your Mad Alf looks quite sane compared to mine which needs annual hacking rather than pruning😉 Thanks for hosting. My six are here: https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2021/02/13/six-on-saturday-a-cold-week/
LikeLike
Whoa! You ran a 35K race in the COLD? I nearly dropped my mug of hot tea when I saw that. I admire your fortitude. Do you run with a mask on? Not much gardening going on here thanks to the weather, but I’m making big plans for spring: https://wp.me/p4Y6ke-2Td
LikeLiked by 1 person
It wasn’t a race as such, a virtual event over this weekend. It’s a 50k so I have 14km to do tomorrow (I did 36 today in the end). It was pretty chilly out but with the right gear on its fine. I saw about a dozen people the entire way (I was out in the country), no mask required.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A virtual run?! Interesting!
LikeLike
Always happy to see more Six on Saturdays! Good luck with the roses and all the other characters in your garden. Ballpark guess – how many different plants are you currently growing?
http://mindfulfoliage.com/2021/02/13/six-on-saturday-13-feb-2021/
LikeLike
I love your miscanthus. I’m feeling somewhat downhearted about our garden today – it has really not reacted well to the cold. On the plus side, I should be able to make lots of plant purchases soon. Here’s my offering this week https://greengirlgardener.com/2021/02/13/six-on-saturday-13th-february/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not too arctic here, 77 degrees F. I l enjoy seedheads in the garden, especially your Miscanthus. I am interested to see how your roses turn out and the Magnolia…stay warm. https://theshrubqueen.com/2021/02/13/six-on-saturday-different-blooms/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad to see you so productive in your garden! My favorite photo this week was the permed frizz of the miscanthus zebrinus! We have seen just this week, snow, rain, frost , fog, highs in the 50’s and nights of below freezing! And the next 7 days, more rain! So, I am having a nice walk through another beautiful English Garden! Here is my post https://thecadyluckleedy.com/2021/02/13/six-on-saturday-west-hoathly-uk/
LikeLiked by 1 person
A distinct lack of gardening here this week due to the weather but lots of catalogue perusing. A dangerous hobby. Roll on next weeks warmer/less cold weather.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes a little less wintry would be good.
LikeLike
It’s very cold here too. The bird feeders are frozen solid. But in another six weeks it will be spring. And the following day, summer. Enjoy your run. Don’t stand still for too long….
https://pruneplantsow.wordpress.com/2021/02/13/sixonsaturday-february-13th-pink-snow-and-poppies/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was v cold when I paused to eat something. Best to keep moving.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Best to keep moving in winter and in general.
LikeLike
That miscanthus looks lovely with the sun through it. Bravo for getting to the roses. I hope you don’t regret that ivy. I hate the damn stuff. Even if you don’t plant it, it appears from nowhere.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s at least an unusual ivy.
LikeLike
Rather a sad six for me this week, days on end of frozen temperatures has taken its toll on the garden. Hoping they will pick up as the weather improves. https://hurtledto60.com/2021/02/13/six-on-saturday-13-02-2021/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes many of my.plants are looking distinctly droopy… hopefully they will perk up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think my thermometer has gone wrong. Said -11 yesterday during the day. Was chill but not that chill. Good work on the roses. I’m on half term this week and that’s the one garden job I want to get sorted even if I manage nothing else.
This weeks six featuring, snow, snowdrops, snowmen. Lots of snow basically. Plus the first of my Iris reticulatas flowering. One of my favourites.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good luck with the roses!
LikeLike
Morning all!
Most of the plants in my garden are mush or sticks at the moment, but I do have six things to share… https://doingtheplan.com/2021/02/13/six-on-saturday-with-lichen-on-the-discoball/
It’s delightful to see the summertime gardens on the other side of the world. Winter’s really not my favourite. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Rose pruning is so satisfying (apart from the blood loss and swearing) – definitely one of my favourite jobs of the year.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You have tamed Mad Alf far better than I have. I need her to cover a wide fence so have let her get on with it. I hope the paths are not too frosty for your run. Here’s to next week’s warmer weather when perhaps we will all be tempted out to finish our winter work. I am now fully teched up so able to post again. Here it is: https://wp.me/p97pee-Ih
LikeLiked by 1 person
It doesn’t seem right to say enjoy your run when it’s obviously a form of self inflicted torture. You can’t do that to yourself for pleasure, only for the feeling of satisfaction afterwards. Bit like pruning roses. We’re sending rain your way, at least it’ll soften the ground. Here’s my six: https://wp.me/p6bCCa-2IJ
LikeLiked by 3 people
I enjoyed it! Feet a bit sore now tbh but it was lovely out. I was well out into the country and it was a beautiful winter morning. Snooze imminent…
LikeLike
-11C goodness, I’d definitely be curled up in front of the fire sipping hot chocolate. I go into hibernation when it is just above freezing!
https://pigletinportugal.com/2021/02/13/six-on-saturday-seeds-pestbye-cat-repellent-and-more-jobs/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well it was -4°c but felt like -11°c in the breeze. I was warm enough in all my clobber.
LikeLike
We’ve got down to minus 11 too, but we have more snow on the ground judging by your photos. Now, The Pilgrim, isn’t she just fab? I have her as a shurb rose along the front path, and she’s most impressive for her bountiful flowering. She’ll look lovely as you’ve trained her on the wall too, no doubt. Here are my snowy six:
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it’s a good one. Funny, I always think of The Pilgrim as a he.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhh, I was thinking Rosa, first name, The Pilgrim, surname.
LikeLike
Well done on the running. I bought a new pair of shoes recently, but think I was being over optimistic. Your roses will be wonderful with all that careful pruning – I shall now address my own Mme A. Carriere as mad alfie too – certainly she goes completely bonkers every summer and requires at least 2 annual prunes. Magnolia buds are so sweet and heartening aren’t they – I enjoyed seeing the sun on all your plants as well! Here’s my six: https://gardendreamingatchatillon.wordpress.com/2021/02/13/six-on-saturday-13-february-2021/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Cathy, I hope the roses repay my efforts. I still have a dozen or so to do…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Having read your post this morning, 20th, I wish you luck and good weather over the weekend!
LikeLike
Well done on the rose pruning front. I am waiting until it is pleasant or at least bearable to be outside. Enjoy your run while the ground is frozen and not too muddy!
https://carrotsandcalendula.co.uk/2021/02/13/six-on-saturday-housebound/
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’d have preferred it muddy! Frozen solid, it was hard to run on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good morning. You have been very busy pruning and tidying, it’s looking nice and tidy. Any ideas how to accelerate the growth of that climbing 🌹? I’m just impatient, I’ve wanted a red, climbing rose for a long time. Anyway, enjoy your 🏃♂️, it is a perfect way to spend a chilly morning.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Patience is a virtue! If it is in a happy spot it will grow fast. Try Uncle Tom’s Rose Tonic, mine have done very well with that.
LikeLike
Thank you. I will investigate that.
LikeLike
I confirm, the ‘Pilgrim’ rose is extremely thorny! Hands remember…
The Miscanthus zebrinus here looks like a tuft of grass blasted by the freezing NE wind. The gardens are in slow motion these days: here is mine https://fredgardenerblog.wordpress.com/2021/02/13/six-on-saturday-13-02-21/
LikeLiked by 3 people
Not as thorny as Dr Eckener!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t Know that one 😬 but can imagine (!)
LikeLike
Morning Jon. I love your line about the frizzy perm becoming a seedy bouffant. Made me chuckle. Enjoy your run. I shall be freezing away at Oxford Botanic Gardens today as my daughter is training nearby for the St John’s Ambulance vaccination programme. I may as well wonder round whilst I wait for her. What a hardship. I’ll be packing my thermos!
Here are my six – from the greenhouse where an urgent need for fleece deployment emerged this week…
https://www.teabreakgardener.co.uk/freeze-frame-the-greenhouse-in-winter/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought the magnolia buds were pussywillow initially – they’re rather pretty. After seeing your trained roses I’ve realised I need to make more of an effort with mine! https://onemanandhisgardentrowel.wordpress.com/2021/02/13/six-on-saturday-13-february-2021/
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is worth doing the best job you can with the roses, they repay with more flowers.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hey! My six are more flowery than yours are!
Hedera azorica looks like English ivy; but the name sounds more like Algerian ivy (from the Canary Islands). What is more of a concern is that you actually planted it intentionally. It must be something special.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Each to their own!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ve have a miserable week, weather-wise, also but nothing as cold as your -11C. Goodness, I think the country would stop functioning at that temperature. We have also been spared snow and frost has only been light. It has been cold, sleety, windy, completely unsuited to gardening. Now, as for this running you’re doing – that certainly borders on the insane. I could never bring myself to go running; not even when young and quite sporty. No, running just never registered as something one would so willingly. Nonetheless, have a good run!
LikeLiked by 4 people
It didn’t for me either till i was 44 or so. Never say never!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let’s say I’m over 64 with a hip replacement and arthritis in one knee!
LikeLike
It’s freezing here too, and I’ve completely wimped out of gardening outside this week (and now your pictures of beautifully trained climbing roses are making me feel a bit guilty). Instead I’ve retreated indoors with a stack of gardening books to read and piles of old photos to reminisce over. So if you’d like to take a (virtual) visit to Sissinghurst in the Spring, this is the post for you.
https://www.hortusbaileyana.co.uk/2021/02/sissinghurst-in-spring.html
I hope I am forgiven for abandoning the Six on Saturday brief this week, but desperate times and all that.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I may not summon any enthusiasm for gardening, it’s arctic out there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The hedera will only flower on mature higher growth, so do be patient, it will probably be another two years before it does. Your rose pruning looks pretty neat. What stamina you have and determination to go for a long run today. Here are my six: https://noellemace.blogspot.com/2021/02/six-on-saturday-13-february-2021.html
LikeLiked by 3 people
It was pretty nippy out but I enjoyed it. Sore feet now…
LikeLike
Nothing from me this week, but a question.
I’ve had a Mme Alfred Carrier in for 5 years – incredibly healthy and robust and flowers beautifully. I want to move it in winter. Do you think it’s a safe bet or should I leave it in situ?
I couldn’t bear to lose it as it’s not considered a popular climber with Autralian suppliers and I’ve failed miserably 3 years in a row to strike a cutting. Over to you or anyone else who may be able to help. Cheers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, you can move it. Spade around it to give a root ball as large as you can manage. Give it a very good hosing to saturate it, give it a reasonable trim. Leave it in situ for a couple of weeks, and move it to its new premises on a dull day, or towards the evening.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Noelle. I hate to have to move it, but it’s climbing the veggie garden fence and blocking light to our precious food source.
LikeLike
I wouldn’t move it. Keep trying to strike cuttings until you have a backup plant. I speak from bitter experience!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh gosh! Now an argument against. See Noelle’s response above.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would trim the main bush back, to not higher that 1 metre, and take cuttings. Push each cutting into a small potato, put several in the longest/deepest pot you have, and fill with gritty compost. Keep well watered but not waterlogged. Please don’t blame me if you end up with too many bushes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I”ve moved roses before and if they aren’t too established you can get them out. I’ve found some have sent roots too far down for me to manage to dig them out and I’ve had to leave them where they were. When moving any shrub I always follow the tip to ‘pour a bucket of water over it, then move it, then pour another bucker of water over it in its new home’. I think the tip originated with Alan Titchmarsh. The first bucket of water works to loosen up the soil too and makes it easier to get out.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The root situation does concern me as its on the veg garden fence and the soil in the veggie garden is like THE most expensive smooth chocolate one could imagine. I suspect the roots are far and wide in there. But the rose is so healthy and massive that a quarter of the veg garden now gets little light… a conundrum.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is such a tough call! I have a related situation with a plum tree – it shades about a third of my vegetable beds. Of course as it’s a tree, moving it isn’t an option, but every year I stare at it, pruners and pruning saw in hand, and wonder which bits to cut.
LikeLike
No expert, but I reckon roses are pretty bomb proof, mad Alfie especially so. Wait till the winter/dormant season, water it, cut it back, dig it up, cut roots if you need to. Plenty of organic matter in a good big hole, bung some micorrhizal fungus on the roots and in the hole, water it in. Feed it well at the start of the growing season. I reckon it will romp away again. If you look at rose society or specialist rose sellers websites they probably give advice on moving.
LikeLike
Good morning. Have great run. Have a great rose pruning session😀
Here’s my Six on Saturday
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Keith. I feel a snooze coming on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Echinops is thistle flower, right? It looks great even past its best before date.
I do think, as gardeners, there’s a tendency to tidy up, to beautify in our eyes. But there’s inherent beauty in nature.
Could you wear a tracker so that we might monitor your run location? 🤔
I hope you’re (plural) all ready for tomorrow. Here’s my pre-Valentine’s declarations. More tongue-in-cheek, but I do solemnly promise to be normal next week.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Globe thistle, yes.
Here is the run:
Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/KcxRHHAoQdb
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely work with the Roses. It’s meant to be good for the wildlife to leave a few seed heads standing over the winter. There’s an excuse for you! Here’s my six:
https://kindheartsandcorydalis.co.uk/six-on-saturday-13th-february/
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 4 people
That is a good excuse!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is still summer here…enjoyed the sunshine this afternoon, sitting outside. Anyway, here are my six for the week https://basia329.wordpress.com/2021/02/13/six-on-saturday-12-02-21/
Looking forward to seeing the magnolia in bloom in your garden!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Enjoy it while it lasts!
LikeLiked by 1 person