Growing better roses with Melissa Trainer

Melissa Trainer, Rose Garden Supervisor at the Butchart Gardens.

By Cory McInnis

I Never Promised You a Rose Garden, written by Joe South in 1967 and first recorded by Billy Joe Royal, went on to be released by many more artists. The song depicts the ups and downs of living, and just like life, the gardens we tend to are also full of ups and downs.

To say roses are a thing of beauty is an understatement. The wide variety to choose from, including modern roses, old garden roses, wild roses, and many more leave room for everyone to select their personal favourite.

A few years ago, my mom was smitten with the David Austin floribunda Ketchup and Mustard. I went on the search for one to gift her for Mother’s Day. Needless to say, it was not an easy one to find. It seems not only my mom, but many of the rose growers were also enamoured with the rich red and yellow blooms, and the abundance of flowers it produces throughout the season.

A small nursery in her community brought some in, and I was happy to present it to her. She sends me photos every summer of the non-stop show of flowers.

This month, the Sooke Garden Club welcomes Melissa Trainer, Rose Garden Supervisor at the Butchart Gardens for the past four years, for a presentation on growing better roses.

Having attended Camosun College for Levels 1 and 2 in Horticulture, and working as a professional horticulturalist for 15 years, Melissa will discuss rose classifications, planting, pruning and cultural requirements. She’ll also share ways to identify common rose pests and diseases, and ways to prevent them.

In addition to her main passion of growing roses, Melissa also loves planting annual and herbaceous borders and growing vegetables.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, back at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Drop-ins are welcome for a $5 fee, or for details about membership, visit sookegardenclub.ca or email Sookegc@gmail.com.

Also coming up Sooke Seedy Saturday, on Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sooke Community Hall.