1st Point Defiance Deadheading

The first “Deadheading Session” of the Point Defiance Rose Garden is
planned for Wednesday June 3, 2026 from 9:00 AM to about 11:00 AM. This date
was chosen to freshen up the Rose Garden three days before we show it off during the Pt. Defiance Flower and Garden Festival, which is on June 6 and 7, 2026.

Once the Pt Defiance rose blooms are “spent”—meaning they are no
longer pleasant to look at as the petals have turned brownish,
start curling and falling off of their peduncles –they need to
be removed from the bush.

Removing the spent blooms is called “Deadheading”. This is done to help promote more rose buds to form – to promote more visitors’ enjoyment.

Here is a little “Deadheading Refresher” or how the process works if you are
new to this community event. Please prepare for success by sharpening your prunes and loppers at home and putting a little machine oil on them. Then, pack up your old garden shoes or boots, a light-weight coat, a wide brimmed hat, a couple bottles of water, a can of Lysol spray, a good creamy sun-blocker, two 5-gallon buckets one for your tools and such and the other to hold rose clippings. Oh, and do not forget a pair of sturdy gloves. Place all of these items in the car.

Then, on Thursdays normally, plan to arrive at the Rose Garden a little before 4:00 PM and stay until about 6:00 P.M. or until finished.

On the days it is expected to be 80 degrees or more we will meet at the Rose Garden by 9:00 A.M. and work until about noon.

You will be expected to spray your pruners and loppers with Lysol before starting to work and between sections of rose bushes. This is done to help mitigate the spread of Crown Gall, a bacterial disease that is found in the soil. For anyone not familiar with how to make the cuts for deadheading roses you can be paired with an experienced TRS member volunteer who will teach you what you need to know and you will become an expert by the end of the session.