FLORAL HISTORY

The Albuquerque Rose Society was founded in 1948 to encourage the cultivation of roses, which have been feted throughout history in poem, song and medicinal uses.

Members of the Rose Society held rose shows and planted the city’s first rose garden in 1954 at a site on the University of New Mexico campus.

The current rose garden that surrounds the Tony Hillerman Library was started in 1962 when it was known as Prospect Park Library.

The society meets on the second Wednesday of most months at 7 p.m. at the Albuquerque Garden Center. Members and non-members are welcome to attend.

The society holds a spring rose show in May at the Albuquerque Garden Center and an exhibition at the Albuquerque BioPark Botanic Garden in September.

In the early spring the society holds pruning demonstrations at the Albuquerque Rose Garden. From roughly June through September, volunteers from the Rose Society are at the Rose Garden from 6-8 p.m. every Tuesday to remove spent blooms, a task known as “deadheading,” from the garden’s more than 1,200 rose bushes. Helpers are welcome; bring your pruning shears.

Rose Society President Katrine Stewart is hoping to attract a young generation of rose enthusiasts through a mentoring program she calls “Rose Buddies.”

For more information about the Albuquerque Rose Society, check the website www. albuquerquerose.com or email ABQRoseSociety@gmail.com.