Being Forceful

I read in a recent issue of some home improvement magazine that I should prune my roses "forcefully" in early September. Removing all the dead heads and dry canes would result in a "beautiful fall show."

I'm all about the show. And since I don't know much about roses, I figured it was worth trying out. Last month while The Boy was mowing the yard, I put on my thickest gloves (this varietal - I still don't know its name - has particularly lethal needle-thin thorns) and attacked the rose bush with my pruning shears.

Fast forward to October.

I walked outside yesterday afternoon and boy was I ever treated to a beautiful show!!

Three blooms at the top of the bush.
(Unfortunate afternoon lighting)

Two additional blooms at the base of the bush.

I don't think I had this many (five!) blooms at one time all spring or summer.

This makes me want to check out a few books on gardening at my local library to see if I can't bring a little show to other parts of the Hayley yard!