VOLUNTEERING IN THE INTERNATIONAL ROSE TEST GARDEN

Volunteers have always played a very important part in maintaining the garden.

With over 10,000 rose plants and only one full time employee in the winter and just two in the summer, the International Rose Test Garden relies heavily on a wonderful group of volunteers to help maintain the garden in such beautiful condition.

The primary job that the volunteers do is “deadheading” the roses – which is cutting off the spent or faded blooms. The three main purposes of dead-heading are to improve appearances, to prevent the plant from using up its energy in setting seed, and in repeat-flowering roses, to encourage further flushes of good-quality flowers.

For more information or to sign up, contact Harry Landers at the Rose Garden Office at 503-823-3636.

Other Volunteer Opportunities:

Volunteers are needed for both garden and non-garden work. In addition to dead-heading, garden tasks include planting, pruning, sign painting, and garden improvement projects. Non-garden tasks include strategic planning, fundraising, updating educational materials, leading garden tours, maintaining inventory records, and coordinating volunteer efforts.

To volunteer in the Rose Garden Store contact us at 503-227-7033. Proceeds from the Rose Garden Store go to benefit the Rose Gardens.