Gardening Group

Sunday 20th July 2025

Castle Wood Rose Garden

Ten dedicated volunteers gathered in Castle Wood Rose Garden on Sunday morning for our latest gardening session. The weather was warm and we were able to shelter from the passing showers under the laurel, despite the rain it was a productive couple of hours of rose care and maintenance.

The team focused on deadheading all 11 rose beds to help prolong flowering and keep the garden looking its best through the summer. Alongside this, we tackled the persistent weeds, including a surprising number of holly shoots that had popped up among the borders – a persistent reminder of the woodland just beyond the garden edges.

We also spent time removing leaves affected by black spot, a common fungal disease in roses that appears as dark blotches on the foliage and can lead to leaf drop. While not fatal, it weakens the plant and affects flowering, so regular removal of infected leaves is an important part of keeping the roses healthy.

We also cleared the steps leading into and out of the rose garden, helping to keep the paths accessible and safe for all visitors.

A big thank you to everyone who came along and gave their time – the garden is thriving thanks to your efforts.