Roses reset the clock in winter

Winter in Southern California is usually short and sometimes confusing. For roses and many other plant types, winter is a time of dormancy, resetting the clock and readying resources for a burst of growth in spring.

There are a few things you can do to help this process along and get them ready for a great year of rose blooms. Pruning is the most significant of these. If you haven't begun or finished pruning by now, don't fear. There is still plenty of time to have blooms for rose shows or special spring events.

According to experienced rosarians, the proper time for the major annual pruning i...