By Kate Lockyer
It may be the middle of winter, but preparations for springtime blooms have begun in New Farm Park as gardeners pruned back more than 7,000 roses.
Senior Team Leader Jean-Charles Guex has a team of five gardeners at the park that are supported by apprentices brought in to help with the job.
Central Ward Councillor Vicki Howard said: “It’s always an exciting day because it’s a hands-on experience for our apprentices to be able to work in such a beautiful park.”
“I think the roses are extra special part of New Farm Park.”
Deanna Mete, Jess Rhodes, George Chan and Chantelle Binstead
Mr Guex, known as JC, has been working at the park for 17 years now and said there are many challenges to looking after the roses in the Southern hemisphere.
“Roses in Brisbane are not in the perfect climate; it’s the opposite to what they like, they don’t like the humidity of summer, they get a lot of fungal disease.”
“Sometimes being a public park too there are accidents,” he laughed.
Mr Geux said there are hundreds of different rose varieties in the gardens, with the three main types being Hybrid Tea, Floribunda and Heritage roses.
Colin Johnston, High Profile Operations Coordinator, Public Space Operations, said: “Pruning is important in removing damaged, diseased, weak, and poorly formed parts of a plant.”
“It also allows good airflow and light to the plants and is particularly important in Brisbane’s sub-tropical climate.
“… though it’s sad to see them pruned back, we know this means an even more spectacular display come bloom time in September.”
Cr Vicki Howard and Jean-Charles Guex