Village Condominium Association

June Roses
by J. F. Weiler

June is the month of roses, and the Village gardens’ hybrid teas, miniatures, climbers and floribundas are all looking good this year! The China rose cultivated in central China since the 10th century was used by the Frenchman, J.B. Guillot to create the first hybrid tea rose in 1867. France became a leading cultivator of roses inspired by Empress Josephine’s 18th-century garden with over 250 varieties of roses.

Some growing tips are: Roses like sun and well-drained, slightly acid soil. Remove suckers at below ground level by wrenching, not cutting. Deadhead with pruning shears as soon as the blooms wither. Roses, after their first year, like rose fertilizer and mulch to preserve moisture.

An exciting garden to visit is the Kelleher Rose Garden located on Boston’s Emerald Necklace (opposite the Museum of Fine Arts). The Kelleher Garden has a selection of over 150 varieties of roses! To learn all the secrets of rose cultivation join the Rose Garden Volunteers who care for the roses. They meet at the garden on Tuesday evenings. To volunteer, contact the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, phone 617-522-2700 or www.EmeraldNecklace.org

Emily Dickinson’s garden, “The Poetry of Flowers,” has been recreated by the New York Botanical Garden. Her favorite daisies, daffodils, daylilies and roses are set next to thirty-five poems that they inspired. Dickinson’s wooded pathway “just wide enough for two who love” is included. Also exhibited are her books, manuscripts, watercolors, photographs and collection of over 400 pressed-flower specimens. The Garden exhibit runs through June 13th. For details visit www.nybg.org

The Village Garden Committee is looking for a few volunteers to choose the best Village garden for the annual Garden Award. If you would be interested, please contact Janet in the Village Office or Joe at 617-926-5160.

Please send in your favorite Village garden J-pegs to WeilerPhotoGallery@comcast.net