Started Mr. Lincoln at the wrong time — lessons learned

I planted Mr. Lincoln at entirely the wrong point in the growing calendar and spent the first few months wondering what I'd done wrong. powdery mildew in humid summers didn't help matters. Once I understood pruning to an outward-facing bud at a 45-degree angle things improved substantially.

repeat-flowering over a long season is what makes this plant worth persisting with. In a trellis or pergola for climbing varieties it finally looks as good as I'd imagined. hips forming in autumn for wildlife interest redeemed the whole effort. If you're starting out: do your timing research before you plant.