Shear Power - Annual Pruning of Rose Garden

175 enthusiastic volunteers demonstrated Shear Power by pruning 4,000 rosebushes by noon.

How did we do it? By "Pruning for Maximum Display." To make it easy for all ages and abilities to participate, stakes are placed in the rose-beds. Orange spray paint marks what level the roses should be cut back. This takes out the guess work and insures uniformity. Volunteers are instructed to cut to the level marked - not below. Then remove all remaining foliage, and rake up debris. We call it Pruning at 33 r.p.m. or roses per minute.

This technique has produced spectacular results, and has helped transform the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden into America's Best Rose Garden. Bigger bushes produce more blooms and mass displays of flowers.

The freshly pruned garden will come into first spring bloom at the end of April, with constant color through November using our methods of Pruning for Maximum Display and Deadheading for Maximum Display.

For more information on how you can be part of America's Best Rose Garden visit www.FriendsSJRoseGarden.org