Rose growing tips a hit at cemetery

By Melissa Meehan
A CEMETERY is an unusual destination for gardening tips, but this November Springvale Botanical Cemetery is offering free rose budding demonstrations on site.
The cemetery, at the Necropolis, has more than 30,000 roses, including 255 varieties.
Rose services coordinator Mark Rowe said demonstrations at the cemetery had been fully booked over the past eight years.
“It is an opportunity for the public to get some hands-on experience and learn how to propagate roses,” Mr Rowe said.
Rosarian Rolfe Stak said the demonstrations always received positive feedback and allowed staff to show off their diverse range of roses.
“I don’t know of anywhere else where the general public can get experience like that.
“I encourage people to come down and learn about budding roses.”
Places are still available. To book contact 8558 8278.