Published May 05. 2021 11:51AM
Volunteers and members of the Lehigh Valley Rose Society kicked off rose planting in Bethlehem’s Rose Garden recently, as the garden’s 90th anniversary nears.
Coordinated by the Mount Airy Neighborhood Association, funding through a Lehigh County grant and donations from area residents have enabled Rose Garden restoration to continue. Lehigh Valley Rose Society president Nate Fisher says that the newly planted bushes should be about two to three feet tall and blooming later in the season.
Some plants have been relocated and others removed due to disease, followed by weeding and bed preparation work before the mass planting.
MANA organizer Mary Toulouse said that in addition to roses, some native species are being planted to create a more modern rose garden.
Stephen Scanniello, a curator at the New York Botanical Garden and horticulturist Pam Ruch of Emmaus collaborated to design and recommend plantings for the Rose Garden restoration project.
More photos appear on page A2.
Southern Lehigh HS junior Noah Denton works on digging holes for the rose bush plantings. “I like landscaping,” said Denton, who was volunteering as part of a National Honor Society service project.
Lehigh Valley Rose Society President Nate Fisher and son Owen carry water to volunteers doing the planting.
press photos by dana grubb Working in tandem, Lehigh Valley Rose Society member Diane Susoev from Alburtis and volunteer Ayesha Becerril from Bethlehem finish planting one of 200 new rose bushes.
Horticulturist Pam Ruch of Emmaus helped to design the restoration project and also volunteered to plant the new rose bushes. Pam Ruch of Emmaus helped to design the restoration project and also volunteered to plant the new rose bushes. Horticulturist Pam Ruch of Emmaus helped to design the restoration project and also volunteered to plant the new rose bushes.
Over 15 volunteers turned out for the planting event on April 17.
