Traditionally, in Central Texas, Valentines Day is the day you prune roses. This year the unseasonably warm winter has the all the east facing roses in my yard in full bloom. Here is a picture of Perle D’or I took today:
Obviously, I’m going to have to prune her some other time. She’s a big girl and planted much too close to the sidewalk. Back when I was first planting my garden, I chose this rose because all the rose nurseries, including the Antique Rose Emporium in Brenham, Texas said that she maxed out at 3′x3′. In my garden, she’s at 6′x6′ and I whack her back constantly. Luckily, she rewards my abuse by blooming nonstop until November. She’s also one of the more fragrant roses in my garden. Her name translated from French is Golden Pearl, and I think it’s pretty accurate.
