During a February work party at the ESVC, we noticed that the roses were already beginning to bloom. That signaled “time to prune!” Accordingly, at our next work party, four Master Gardeners took the first steps at training and feeding the roses that line the entry at the ESVC.

The ESVC entry was designed to promote an arbor of yellow climbing roses.  A rose was planted at the base of each of the four pillars. Over the years, the roses have grown, but due to the Covid-19 shutdown and other circumstances, they had not been trained. At our work party, each Master Gardener worked on one of the four roses, and pruned to promote growth up and over the arbor.  Where possible, branches were draped over the arbor.  Pruning was designed to open the center of the rose and encourage upward growth, with an emphasis on no more than 3-4 major canes for each plant.  We finished the day with fertilizer and a good soaking.  Two Master Gardeners returned the following week to complete the pruning and training efforts.

Less than two months later, the results of our efforts were apparent.  Lush cascades of yellow blooms greet visitors to the ESVC. Some of the roses have started to spread on the overhead arbor.  We have removed the grasses that were invading the water wells at the bottom of each plant and fertilized again.  Only time will tell whether the roses will have a second and even a third bloom this season.  By next year, with additional growth, training, pruning, and feeding, we anticipate an even more spectacular display of roses.