As scheduled, we gathered in the Rose Garden at 10am on Saturday the 2nd November. It started cloudy with rain forecast for later so we had to work quickly to plant the 160 bare root rose bushes .
The plan was to fill in gaps that were evident in the rose beds. Obviously some beds needed only a few new rose bushes, whereas other beds were almost empty. This year, the varieties of rose were selected to match in with the colours and heights already in. There were Arthur bell, a yellow rose which has already proven to do well, Super Trouper, Pride and Prejudice, Ruby 40th Anniversary and finally Chandos Beauty.
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| Super Trouper |
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| Pride and Prejudice |
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| Ruby 40th Anniversary |
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| Chandos Beauty |
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| Arthur Bell |
Despite England Rugby Team playing that morning in the World Cup Final, which we sadly lost against South Africa, we still had quite a few volunteers arrive, armed with their gloves and spades. Each rose had its roots dipped in a solution of wallpaper paste and Rootgrow, a mycorrhizal fungi in powdered form which helps the plants establish faster. We worked well as a team, some digging holes, some dipping and handing out the rose bushes. After a short tea/coffee break in our new Gardeners' shed, we continued planting until just past midday , at which time it was raining heavily. We packed up and agreed to finish planting the remaining bushes on the following Monday.
Monday morning was cold but bright and some of us met up around10am. By noon all 160 rose bushes had been successfully planted. Hopefully next June everyone will be able to enjoy the scent and sight of all the rose beds in full bloom.
A huge thank you to all those who braved the cold and wet to help us.
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