Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Wednesday - January 20, 2016
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Pruning, Shrubs
Title: Pruning a Martha Gonzales rose
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
How much should I prune back an established Martha Gonzales Rose to keep healthy?ANSWER:
The Martha Gonzales rose is a compact rose that was found by "rose rustlers" at the Texas home of Martha Gonzales, now deceased. It is often used as a hedge rose. As such, it is regularly pruned back quite freely. I think you can prune it with hedge clippers to suit your needs and not worry about damaging it. Proabably at least one annual pruning, in the spring, would be good to keep it from getting too twiggy.
More Pruning Questions
Winter pruning of lantana from Austin
February 12, 2013 - I live in north Austin. Due to our mild winter, my lantana has not died off this season as it usually does after a freeze - and so I have not cut it back yet this year which I typically do about right...
view the full question and answer
Pruning cherry laurel in January in Austin
January 07, 2011 - Do trust I checked Q&A first. Can Cherry Laurel shrubs be pruned earlier than late winter in Austin? I foolishly planted 12 native Cherry Laurel standards on our suburban property line 5 years ago. I ...
view the full question and answer
Need information about pruning Persimmon trees in Buda, TX.
November 29, 2010 - Mr. Smarty,
We have many wild persimmon trees in our yard. Some I want prune to bush size. What is the best way to prune these trees and to what extent can they be safely pruned.
Thank you for shari...
view the full question and answer
Pruning of tree poppy from Livermore CA
May 29, 2013 - We have a Dendromecon rigida which has been in place for about 10 years and is doing fine. But the older growth gets dry, brown and crinkly, while the newer growth is bright and lush. I would like t...
view the full question and answer
Pruning Texas madrone trees from Utopia TX
August 19, 2012 - I have a number of large Texas Madrone trees on my ranch in Utopia Texas. A few of them have dead limbs and I was wondering whether I should cut off the dead limbs or just leave the tree alone. I wa...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |