Everything’s coming up roses at the botanical gardens

A joint project between the Gold Reef Rose Society, Ludwig Roses Egoli and City Parks and Zoo called ‘Let’s make it bloom again’ managed yet again to add to the beauty already found at the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens when they planted 157 donated roses.

These particular flowers which were planted on terrace seven, were due to two separate donations from the Johannesburg Garden Club as well as the Geldenhuys Family.

On this planting day, Yvette Bezuidenhout, of Ludwig Roses Egoli was onsite to help lead a team with the planting.

Before the team even started with the planting, they made sure that the soil was prepped for proper rose growth and root development. They used slow-release fertilizer, organic compost, and peanut shells to make the soil viable for water penetration. “The flowers have flowered already, but in about a month and a half, the plant will start bushing out and you will get your flowers. Then we will go through our pruning people in July,” she said. Additionally, it is during this period that they will need members of the community to come through and help.

By October, she envisages that the flowers will have already started sprouting and reckons the garden will look even more beautiful than it currently does.

Previously roses were planted on terrace eight, and more recently, others on terrace six. These are bright red Fiery Sunsations donated by assurance and tax company, PwC. This makes the total number of flowers planted thus far come to about 280.

Bezuidenhout said she and the organisation she represents’ relationship with the gardens span years and they see a need to beautify this space for the community. “People need a place to go to so they can relax,” she said.

Community members are more than welcome and encouraged to donate or join in on a planting or pruning day.

Details: Gold Reef Rose Society: goldreefrosesociety@gmail.com

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