Today was not a gardening day in the East Bay. Today was take-down-the-tree day. This yuletide deconstruction requires a certain investment of time, but there is a pleasing & venerable system in place for the whole reverse-routine.
Nobody pretends the roses have had any attention since sometime around Thanksgiving, poor things. They are enjoying themselves as holiday slobs, but are destined for clean-up soon.
There are these odd patches on a couple of the bushes (as below) where the sap is still evidently flowing freely. The relatively warm and constant coastal weather seems to be a permanent source of confusion. Several other climates are known to suit them better, yet still they soldier on here, these few brave roses.
