Learn by doing at rose pruning workshop

Here’s a chance to get more experience (or an introduction) to the finer points of rose pruning while helping a major public garden in the Sierra foothills.

On Saturday, Jan. 17, the UC Master Gardeners of El Dorado County will host a free, three-hour rose pruning workshop at their Sherwood Demonstration Garden in Placerville. The workshop starts at 9 a.m. with demonstrations and training, then the group tackles the whole rose garden.

“Join Dan Bowen and the Rose Garden Team for an up-close pruning demonstration in the Sherwood Demonstration Garden Rose Garden,” say the master gardeners.

Bring bypass pruners (the preferred tool for roses and other shrubs) and thick gloves. Dress appropriately, too; this morning workshop is all outdoors with temperatures expected to be in the 40s.

Registration is not required but requested. Sign up at: https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-el-dorado-county/event/central-sierra-pruning-roses-el-dorado-county

Volunteers also can learn about rose garden design and recent rose introductions. The rose garden, one of 16 demonstration gardens at Sherwood, features about 80 different varieties.

“This is a classic rose garden with four beds arranged in a circle around a center gazebo, enclosed within a picket fence with arbors for climbing roses at the ends of the four brick paths,” explain the master gardeners. “The roses – which include climbers, standards (also known as tree roses), hybrid, teas, grandifloras and floribundas – are arranged by color, with the exception of a grouping of English roses of various colors. The purpose of this arrangement is to allow the public who may be looking for a particular color rose to see a selection in that color from which to choose.

“The roses were planted with correct spacing according to varietal size so that each bush stands alone and can be seen as an individual.”

Sherwood Garden is located on the campus of Folsom Lake College’s El Dorado Center, 6699 Campus Drive, Placerville. Admission is free, but parking is $2, payable at the college parking kiosk.

For more on El Dorado County master gardeners: https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-el-dorado-county