City of Glendale - News

A Rose is a Rose is a Rose

How to get your blooms smelling as sweet as those in Sahuaro Ranch’s Rose Garden

Glendale’s rich earth once nourished miles of crops and provided food for early ranching families and more. So, why not take advantage of our city’s wonderful soil by planting a few garden treasures of your own. Not sure where to get started? Here’s a little advice from Kandy Vanmeeteren, city horticulturist.  

Spring is upon us. What things should you do to make sure your garden is ready for the spring temperatures?
In the rose garden at Sahuaro Ranch, I have already fertilized, and next week, I will mulch the beds, cut the suckers, water sprout and pull the weeds. 

Easy tricks that help bring out the best in roses:
Do not cut your roses back in January and February. It is not necessary here in Arizona because March can get warm, burning stems and setting the rose bush back. You can plant roses any time here; it does not have to be in January and February.

What types of flowers are easiest to care for and why?
Sonoran natives because they grow in our environment, reseed themselves and do not need pruning or fertilizing.

There are many desert flowers and low water-use plants that you can plant to create an equally beautiful garden. What are some of your favorites?
I have too many favorites: daminatia, hymenoxys, calliandras and oenotheras. I am a native user.

How many types of roses are growing at Sahuaro Ranch?
Hybrid tea, Floribunda, Grandiflora, climbing, English tea, miniatures and shrub. I have 721 rose bushes at the Ranch.

How long has the rose garden been here, and how old is the oldest rose bush?  
We have had the rose garden since 1985, and the oldest rose was planted in about 1997.

How long have you been tending to Glendale's roses?
I have been taking care of the rose garden for five years. And I’m proud to say that the roses are larger in bush size, using less water, producing way more blooms and overall healthier.

What is your background?
I am the city's horticulturist. I have a degree in horticulture and agri-business and am working on a degree in plant biology and environmental science. I have worked for the federal government at the water quality lab with soil samples and spent six years in local nurseries. I live and breathe plants.