September and October mark the changing of the seasons in the Park of Roses. Many roses have a second flush of blooms in the autumn and will continue until the first hard freeze, as late as mid-November. Trees and shrubs exchange the greens of summer for the reds, yellows and golds of autumn.”Walking through the park at this time of year is like ‘leafing’ through the pages of a garden magazine.” remarked Nancy Walsh, development officer for the Columbus Park of Roses Foundation.

The herb and perennial gardens continue to bloom. Much of the spent foliage and flowers in both gardens will be left to overwinter, providing cover and food for wildlife and insects. The annual bird feeding project will begin as the weather cools.

To encourage the public to become aware of the great diversity of trees and shrubs growing in the park, a narrated tree walk will be held October 22, beginning at 6:00 pm. Led by Jim Slyh, arborist, the tour will start outside the volunteer office, at the south end of the enclosed shelterhouse. Registration is not required. Visitors are urged to dress for the weather that day and to wear sturdy walking shoes.

Most of the trees are labeled. Some trees date back to the original garden design, planted in 1952. Many new trees and shrubs have been planted over the past few years. Lists of the trees and shrubs will be available for download on this web site beginning in early October. Sixty two tree species, of ninety nine varieties are represented, as well as nineteen shrub species, of thirty seven varieties. They should all be in their full autumn foliage that week.

The rose volunteers will assemble for the annual fall cutback on Saturday, November 21, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and working for several hours. Rose bushes are pruned to reduce winter damage. Later, they will be mulched heavily with wood chips to protect them until spring. The public is invited to join the volunteers for this event. Please dress warmly and bring gloves, hand pruners and/or branch loppers. Light refreshments will be provided. “Rose pruning experience is not needed- we do on the job training.” said Tina Bozzuto, volunteer coordinator.

So mark your calendars for these two park events, and stop by often to see the colors and textures evolve as the weather changes.