Like their evergreen cousins the hollies, winterberries are generally a dioecious species. Never seen one in the wild as of yet but one day. At least seeing one irl regardless will help me recognize them in the future.
Grabbed a few berries so we’ll see if we get seedlings come spring. (which btw… don’t be fooled by the size of the berries; one berry can hold almost 6 seeds! If viability is high you do not need to collect that many berries for propagation)
Ignore unhinged jaw of my face I wasn’t planning to be in the shot. Y’know when I said “the Canadian Explorer Rose will be the T-rex of the plant relocation/rescue project” I DIDN’T REALIZE HOW ON THE MARK I’D BE ON THAT DISTINCTION! She’s fucking HUGE! Also hellishly thorny just like grandma rugosa, I actually had to get my gloves out to be able to lug her up (I was stubborn about NOT getting the gloves till that point. Much yelping had ensued beforehand). A lot of her full size was concealed by the overgrowth of weeds where she resided. Such a contrast to the other hybrid rose (which is a Hybrid Tea) which barely reaches my knee, THIS rose could reach my waist+ if propped up. In Canada this size is not unusual for many species roses, but for a lovely hybrid rose this is something I am not the least bit used to, even after having this girl for as long as I’ve had.
Unfortunately as you may have noticed from the photos though; not a lot of roots came up with the rest of her, which is bad, really bad for such a monster (ESPECIALLY if one is transplanting in MID FREAKING SUMMER). So after these photos were taken I took to pruning two thirds of her (which may still not be a liberal enough of a prune-out) which should hopefully make up for lack of roots. I’m hoping her Rugosa background gives her the edge to take to the new flowerbeds (more on that another time) and bounce back, though that does not entirely keep my confidence as I have never had luck with transplanting Rugosas either.
Fingers crossed she makes it through the summer, but if not I at least know which group of Rose hybrids I will seek once again; Canadian Explorer roses all the way.
Photographed July 8th 2018
Sister’s Rose of Sharon dramatically pruned down to size. Broke the 1/3rd rule here (I think I took off over half, the highest branches were up to the eavestrough) but it needed the reduction for various reasons, + Rose of Sharons are rather vigorous so I think it will grow back just fine. Kind of wish I brought some additional equipment, a sketchbook, or had some other people’s shrubbery to work on cause now I have nothing much else I can do while in the city (guess I could do a cold walk in the park but idk).
Also wish i brought my wallet so i could grab something to eat rn lol, I’m famished.
Photographed April 29th 2018
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