Euonymus can be trimmed now — with some warnings

Q: I have a euonymus hedge and it needs trimming. Can I trim it now or should I wait until winter/spring? — D.F., Albuquerque

A: Everything I’ve found says you can trim it now, just do it ASAP.

I think that if you are ready to have the hedge look much tidier, go for it. Do know that it’ll look trimmed or blunt until next spring when it starts to put on new growth. It won’t put on any new growth for the rest of this year, for sure.

Personally I think that it might be better to wait until spring and here’s why. If we get a harsh winter and the temperatures plummet, the tipped ends of the euonymus might suffer from frost damage. Then next spring you’d need/want to retrim to remove all that damage. Then the hedge might be taken down too far for its own good. It’s a double-edged sword at this point.

Trimmed now, as soon as possible, the euonymus should have just enough time to harden off and be ready to deal with the dormant season unscathed, but I don’t know if I’d take that chance considering winter is bearing down on us and will be here before you know it. Unless you can’t deal with the look of the hedge now, me, I’d wait until late winter next year to do this project.

If you want that tidy look all through the winter months, go for it, but do it very, very soon. Don’t offer any fertilizer now as it would be a waste of money and the plants aren’t looking to promote any new growth now.

Do remember to offer the hedge a deep watering every month unless we’re blessed with winter precipitation and if it’s forecasted to get really, really cold, aim to offer a watering to protect the root mass which in turn will keep the hedge healthier in the long run.

Take care of your hedge, but if you choose to trim it now, get to it.

Q: I have an older rose (26 years old at least) that I love. I think it’s a floribunda. It’s not grafted. I would like to split part of it off and start a new (additional) plant. I tried this a few years ago and failed. Any tips? — T.B., Albuquerque

A: I have to admit that I am way out of my depth here. I have wondered often how roses are propagated, but have never made time to delve into that world.

I can suggest that you contact the Albuquerque Rose Society and seek their many years of knowledge to do this project if it is doable. I do know that the society is chock-full of people, like you, that love roses and if there is anyone in their ranks that could guide you, they’d be the ticket. You can contact them at ABQRoseSociety@gmail.com.

I would be hard-pressed to offer any suggestions because if I was wrong and your 26-year-old love was damaged, I’d be heartbroken. So please, reach out to the Albuquerque Rose Society to get the guidance you are looking for. Good luck in gaining the answers you’re searching for.

Q: I’ve noticed lots of iris bulbs for sale at garden centers and wonder if now’s really the time to plant them? — C.I., Albuquerque

A: Bet your boots now is the time to get these charmers in the ground. Iris are classified as rhizomes, not bulbs. Nonetheless, yes, it’s time to plant so they can settle in, spread their roots and get ready for next years.

The biggest “secret” I know about iris planting is to get them to the proper depth. Rough up the soil where you’re aiming to plant, add a bit of bone meal or superphosphate to encourage root development, and go for it. When you’re looking at a rhizome you’ll see stringy roots, a plumpish white-brown-gray body that the roots sprout from and then the greenish strap leaves.

When you plant, your truest aim is to get them set so their plump body with the stringy roots are below ground, leaving the strap leaves perfectly above at ground level. Just deep enough but most importantly, not too deep.

So, if you are in the market to add any of these charmers to your gardens, then yes, the time to plant them is now.

Happy Diggin’ In!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.