Join Columbus Recreation and Parks Department staff and Park of Roses volunteers for the 28th Annual Rose Cutback.  The event will be held on Saturday, March 24, from 8:30-11:30 am. No rose experience or registration is needed. This annual event involves cutting out dead rose canes and evaluating winter damage to the rose plants. Gardeners are invited to bring hand pruners and gloves. Those without pruners can help rake canes out of beds, sweep up cuttings and haul tarps to fill up a dump truck.

With more than 11,500 roses to maintain, the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department staff welcomes your help with this enormous and important task.

Different species of roses are pruned at different times of the year. Most modern roses are pruned after a first fall freeze, mostly for winter protection. They create blooms on new wood in the spring. That’s why they are pruned in March- to encourage the growth of new wood. Climbing roses bloom on old wood (from the previous year) and that’s why they are pruned after they bloom. This link contains more detailed instruction.

Meet in the main rose garden. Snacks and warm drinks will be near the work area. You can work as long as you like and leave whenever you want. Many hands make the job go faster, so if you can give a little time, its greatly appreciated. Dress warmly as we will work unless it is actively raining.

The street address for Columbus Park of Roses is 3901 N. High Street. The garden entrance is one half-mile  west on Hollenback Road within Whetstone Park. There is a large free parking lot. All the gardens are located to the east of the shelter house at the top of the steps.

For more information contact volunteers@parkofroses.org  or call (614) 645-3391.