by Mary Ridout
“A rose is a rose and was always a rose…” But is it a tea rose, a shrub rose, a modern rose or an old garden rose? Roses are some of the world’s best beloved flowers and have a long history as symbols of love, friendship, gratitude, joy, longing, freedom, sacrifice, and remembrance. They play prominent symbolic roles in the world’s religions and have been adopted to represent states and nations. In the gray days of February, a rose on Valentine’s Day can bring a special promise of spring.
Do you wish you knew more about roses and how to care for them? With all the mystique surrounding roses, they can be a little intimidating but are some of the most rewarding flowers to love and care for! Would you like to learn more about roses and at the same time provide service and beauty to our community? Let’s take a break from winter and step outside for a little early gardening and some community service.
The Hillcrest Cemetery in Weiser contains over 400 roses, some likely over a century old. Our cemetery groundskeepers do a magnificent job, but they could use some help! University of Idaho Extension Washington County and the Washington County Master Gardeners are stepping forward to assist and offer a service-learning rose pruning day this coming February at the Hillcrest Cemetery on 215 E Indianhead Rd, Weiser. This event is open to anyone who loves roses, would like to learn, or would just like to help the community.
This service-learning event will feature three training workshop sessions, a chance to better and beautify our community, and hot cocoa and coffee to fuel the effort. Come by and learn about the different types of roses, rose selection for our region, how to prune the different types of roses, and about the tools and materials needed to do the job. Take home rose care info and, with a bit of elbow grease, an exciting prize! Tools and gloves will be available, or you are welcome to bring your own. Drop by for a session or plan to come for the whole event! Oil your pruning tools and limber up your gardening gloves. Watch for a date and time as we get closer. We will be putting out notices and advertising soon! Please call Extension if you have questions or would like more details. RSVP if you would like to participate, so we can get a head count for the event!
