Saturday morning, November 21, was clear and cold as 32 people gathered for the annual fall rose pruning in the park. After coffee and pastries in the volunteer office, Paul Gibson, rosarian and Park of Roses Foundation board member, briefly described the work to be done.

“We will cut the roses back to about 3 feet tall to minimize winter damage. Later, Recreation and Parks Department staff will mulch the plants using wood chips. We will reconvene in late March to assess winter die back and prune more delicately.”

Stephanie Williams. staff garden supervisor, directed volunteers to throw cut canes onto tarps which were loaded into a truck and carried away to be composted. She pointed out that some beds had “do not cut” signs, marking climbers and other types of roses that should not be pruned until after flowering in the spring. “It’s important to know which roses you have in your own garden so that you can prune them at the right time of year.”

This event is part of the seasonal cycle in the park. Deadheading ceased in mid-September to let the roses go to seed. This stopped new growth which would be killed by freezing temperatures. The late November cutback assures that hard frosts have already made the plants go dormant for the winter before they are cut down.

The dates of the fall and spring pruning are announced here online and in local newspapers and garden radio shows. The public is invited to help at both events. No need to be an ongoing volunteer or have pruning experience. Just bring hand pruners and gloves- and dress warmly!

 

Check back in the early March for the date of the spring rose pruning. And remember that the Park of Roses is a garden to visit in every season of the year.