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Krewe of Monarchs Royal Brunch

The annual Krewe of Monarchs Royal Brunch was held Sunday, February 5, 2023, at historic Magnolia Hall in downtown Natchez, Mississippi. This year the monarchs, those who formerly served as Rosalie and Rex for The Krewe of Phoenix, honored 2023’s Rosalie and Rex XXXXI, Tracey Gammon and G. A. Mayers.

René and Pete Cantu

Dee Newman, Scott Christian, and Lisa Dale Mayers

Ann Paradise, Sue Stedman, and Mary Lessley

Ginger Hyland andSteve Newman

Wanda Smith with Malcolm and Marcia Hall

John Bergeron, Joe Stedman, and G.A. Mayers

Sherry and Chuck Beardon

Tim Sessions and George Murray

Steve Newman and Dennis Short

Ricky and Wanda Smith

Rosalie XXXXI Tracey Gammon and Rex XXXXI G. A. Mayers

Charlotte Brent and Tracey Gammon

Valerie Bergeron and MiMi McKie

Annette and Tony Byrne

Dennis and Darby Short

Betsy and Sim Mosby

G.A. and Lisa Mayers

Pete Cantu and Donna Sessions

Valerie Bergeron and Sue Stedman

Front: Valerie Bergeron, Sue Stedman, GA Mayers, Tracey Gammon, Karen Stubbs, and Chuck Beardon / 2nd Row: Darby Short, Ginger Hyland, Pete Cantu, Lisa Mayers, Wanda

Smith, Marcia Hall, and Mimi McKie / 3rd Row: Mary Lessley, Betsy Mosby, Donna Sessions, Robert Paradise, Tim Sessions, Charlotte Brent, and Sherry

Beardon / 4th Row: Dennis Short, Scott Christian, Joe Stedman, Rickey

Smith, Dee Newman, John Bergeron, Tony Byrne, and George Murrary

Ideal Times for Pruning Garden Plants

ARTICLE | Rachel Bond PHOTOS | MSU Extension Service

Pruning shortly after a freeze can damage recovering tissue or cause you to cut off potentially healthy tissue without realizing it. This can weaken the plant or introduce a secondary fungus or disease.

Pruning also promotes growth, which is a wonderful thing to happen in the growing season. But you do not want to encourage your plants to flush out with new growth until the threat of frost has passed. Timing of the last frost varies from late February on the Coast to late March or early April in north Mississippi.

Pruning at the correct time helps encourage the plant to leaf out and put all of its energy into new, healthy growth. It is also easier to see the true branch shape of a tree or shrub when it is dormant. This helps you choose which branches to prune or remove and how much shaping is needed.

A final reason not to remove freeze damage while the plant is still dormant is that the dead foliage can help insulate the plant from further damage should we have another cold snap. This protection is especially helpful for fleshy plants such as banana, ginger, and philodendron.

The best way to know when to prune a flowering shrub or tree is to ask the question: “When does it flower?”

Plants that flower on “new wood”—meaning flowers form on the new growth that flushes out in the spring—are best pruned from late winter to early spring. Pruning too late into spring could cause you to nip off buds that have already been set. Examples include roses, Butterfly Bush, and Panicle Hydrangeas.

Plants that flower on “old wood”—meaning flowers bloom on growth from the previous year—should be pruned after they have bloomed. Pruning too late in the fall or too early in the spring will cut off those buds that form on the last year’s growth. Examples include azaleas, mophead hydrangeas, and spirea.

Prune evergreen shrubs and trees as well as shade trees in late winter to early spring while they are dormant and right before the new growing season begins. Examples of this include holly, boxwood, oak, and maple.

Prune flowering trees right after they flower. Examples include magnolia, redbud, and crabapple.

Once the threat of frost has passed and it is safe to prune, there are several techniques to remember:

Always use clean, sharp pruning tools. If a plant shows signs of fungus, insects, or disease, disinfect your clippers before moving to the next plant to prevent the spread of disease. Bag up these clippings to throw away instead of composting them.

Always prune a branch right above a leaf node to prevent die back. Collect all clippings from under pruned plants to ensure proper air circulation and remove potential disease.

Cut any vertical stems or branches at an angle so water does not accumulate on the cut area and cause rotting. And when in doubt, always prune a flowering plant shortly after it has finished blooming. This is your safest bet to preserve future blooms.