Pruning new life into the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens
The Gold Reef Rose Society gathered at the gardens and there, they pruned the rose garden.
After being made aware of the sad state of the rose garden at the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, the Gold Reef Rose Society headed there for a day of pruning.
Chairperson of the society, Barbara Wood, said one day, while two of the society’s members walked the gardens they saw its condition. “They are both rose lovers and enthusiasts and asked if we could maybe do something,” she said. Loving a challenge, she engaged with an Emmarentia resident as well as a rose shop, Ludwig’s Roses Egoli.
To make a success of the day, the group appealed to its members to take part in the pruning, working alongside teams of the shop and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo. On the day they pruned all seven levels, with all teams having learned something from each other. “We enjoyed interacting with Ludwig’s team and City Parks and I do believe we added to the education and pruning methods for all involved.”
Ideally, the society would certainly love to make this an annual event at the rose garden. Their next project is to plant up the empty circle with granny roses, entirely sponsored by them. First, however, they need to treat the soil and make sure it is healthy and ready to nurture the roses. “As I visit the gardens, I see more and more people exercising and walking in the garden. I would love to see this rose garden adding to the experience of a visit to Johannesburg Botanical Gardens.”
She has held her position in the society for the past six years. It was formed in 1988 and has grown in strength since. They actively encourage the growing and maintenance of roses and aim to develop interest in various communities as they encourage people to plant up and care for their gardens. For them, the green lung that is Johannesburg is extremely important and they want to be part of it. There are 125 members though not all are active but attendance at functions is quite good.
The society’s event of the year is the Rose Show which takes place at Benmore Shopping Centre on October 6 and 7. It is open to everyone to exhibit and they encourage the general public to bring along their garden roses and share them with the wider Johannesburg populace.
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