Multiflora Rose is actively growing and the sprouts resulting from my winter clearing operations have reached the point where they can be successfully sprayed with glyphosate herbicide. The frequent rains and windy days have made it difficult to find a suitable time for spraying, but a recent break in the action gave me some perfect conditions.
This whole area was full of roses and there were just too many to mark individually. To help organize my search for sprouts, I placed a couple rows of blue flags to act as guides. This increases the chances that I will not miss any rose sprouts as I spray. Regrowth of cut shrubs occurs at different rates, so I’ll be back in here in a couple of weeks to catch the later sprouts.
This is a typical stump with resulting sprouts. Occasionally you’ll find a horizontally growing cane that missed being cut by the mower. I carry hand pruners with me to cut back these errant canes prior to spraying.
Many of the sprouts occur with a red or deep burgundy color. Rose rosette disease causes new growth to display a red color, but I’m sure that weather and other factors also play a part in determining color.
I always enjoy seeing what native plants show themselves after I’ve cleared the non-natives out of the way. This patch of May-apples used to be completely hidden by the roses.
Several Adder’s Tongue Ferns were coming up through the mulch of rose canes. This wasn’t a very comfortable place to kneel down for a photo.
Spotted Touch-me-not seedlings were scattered over a large portion of the area. There were always a few of these interesting plants growing along the edges of the rose patch, but they never occurred in large numbers. They should make quite a display later in the year.
Falcate Orange-tip butterflies were in the clearing visiting a few blooming Spring Beauties. I was concentrating on the butterfly as I took this shot and it was only later that I noticed the Multiflora Rose seedling showing in the lower right corner. I can almost imagine that the seedling intentionally jumped into the picture as a reminder that the battle is not yet over.
Multiflora Rose is actively growing and the sprouts resulting from my winter clearing operations have reached the point where they can be successfully sprayed with glyphosate herbicide. The frequent rains and windy days have made it difficult to find a suitable time for spraying, but a recent break in the action gave me some perfect conditions. 
This whole area was full of roses and there were just too many to mark individually. To help organize my search for sprouts, I placed a couple rows of blue flags to act as guides. This increases the chances that I will not miss any rose sprouts as I spray. Regrowth of cut shrubs occurs at different rates, so I’ll be back in here in a couple of weeks to catch the later sprouts.
This is a typical stump with resulting sprouts. Occasionally you’ll find a horizontally growing cane that missed being cut by the mower. I carry hand pruners with me to cut back these errant canes prior to spraying.
Many of the sprouts occur with a red or deep burgundy color. Rose rosette disease causes new growth to display a red color, but I’m sure that weather and other factors also play a part in determining color.
I always enjoy seeing what native plants show themselves after I’ve cleared the non-natives out of the way. This patch of May-apples used to be completely hidden by the roses.
Several Adder’s Tongue Ferns were coming up through the mulch of rose canes. This wasn’t a very comfortable place to kneel down for a photo.
Spotted Touch-me-not seedlings were scattered over a large portion of the area. There were always a few of these interesting plants growing along the edges of the rose patch, but they never occurred in large numbers. They should make quite a display later in the year.
Falcate Orange-tip butterflies were in the clearing visiting a few blooming Spring Beauties. I was concentrating on the butterfly as I took this shot and it was only later that I noticed the Multiflora Rose seedling showing in the lower right corner. I can almost imagine that the seedling intentionally jumped into the picture as a reminder that the battle is not yet over. 
Very interesting project. Love the last image. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lois.
ReplyDeleteDon't you love to see the the emergence of your old favorites every spring? I would love to see a photo of the Adder's tongue later in the year.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever eaten the fruit of a mayapple?
ReplyDeleteI lived in Niles, Ohio from 1964-1975, and I remember seeing patches of them in the woods, but I haven't seen any in Georgia, since I moved here. I think Augusta, Georgia is a bit south of their range.
Hi, Wilma. I'll be sure to post some pictures of the Adder's Tongue Fern when it matures.
ReplyDeleteHi, Mark. I've never had the opportunity to try the May-apple fruit. Something always seems to eat them long before they become ripe. I still look for them every year.