Everything is coming up roses in Farmers Branch. Whether walking through the gardens located through the City or enjoying the streetscapes, it is definitely time to stop and smell the roses. With more than 150 different roses planted in the City, Farmers Branch is the perfect place to spend the afternoon taking in the small things in life – like old garden roses and modern hybrid teas.
The City of Farmers Branch hosted a rose pruning clinic on Saturday February 20th. Volunteers and students were instructed by Bob McLaughlin, an American Rose Society Consulting Rosarian, in the finer art of training the display roses in the National EarthKind Trial Rose Garden and Display Garden located in Gussie Field Watterworth Park. The garden is home to over 750 roses. Fortunately only about 300 of the plants need their annual dormant pruning, which was accomplished by a team of about 15 volunteers in a few hours.
This is just one activity that has been going on in preparation of a beautiful floral display in the Rose Gardens of Farmers Branch. The National EarthKind Trial Rose Garden and Display Garden located in Gussie Field Watterworth Park is being expanded to include more roses and seasonal color. The All America Rose Selection Garden is prepared for the new test class of 140 roses and a generous donation of display daylilies. A few steps away, the ground has been turned for both a butterfly garden and a American Rose Society Award of Excellence miniature rose test garden. As the walking path continues to the Historical Park, roses and native plantings will enhance the bird sanctuary area. Lastly, new perennials are planned for the Ruthan Rogers Memorial Rose Garden. So, whether the walk begins in The National EarthKind Trial Rose Garden and Display Garden or in the Historical Park garden, take time this spring to stop and smell the roses.
Calla Davis, Ruth Ann Parish & Robert Davis