University Advancement

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CSUN-al Gardening Class Takes the Mystery Out of Pruning Roses

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Dec. 4, 2007) — Proper pruning of roses is a major step in encouraging healthy plant growth, reducing microbial disease and producing abundant flowers.

Take the mystery out of pruning roses by attending the first class of the 2008 CSUN-al Gardening Series, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 5, at 9 a.m., and hosted by Cal State Northridge’s Botanic Garden.

The class will start indoors with a discussion about the theory behind pruning roses, then move outside, where participants will be able to put theory into practice by working on a nearby planting of flowers.

Garden designer Steve Gerischer will talk about the "why, how and when" of rose pruning. Proprietor of Larkspur Garden Design, Gerischer has led garden-themed walks and lectures on a variety of garden topics. He also has been featured on landscape design shows on HGTV and DIY cable networks.

"Steve is well versed on so many landscape and garden topics, it was difficult to select just one class for him to teach. But since this is a hands-on workshop, Steve is the perfect blend of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm," said Brenda Kanno, manager of the CSUN Botanic Garden.

Participants in the rose pruning class are encouraged to bring sturdy gloves and their favorite pair of hand pruners.

Registration for the rose pruning class begins Dec. 5. While the class is free, registration is required due to very limited seating. To register, e-mail botanicgarden@csun.edu. Driving and parking instructions, as well as the classroom location, will be sent upon registration.

For more information about the CSUN-al Gardening Series, call (818) 677-3496.

The CSUN-al Gardening Series is a community oriented program sponsored by the Friends of the CSUN Botanic Garden and CSUN’s Department of Biology and College of Science and Mathematics.

The Cal State Northridge Botanic Garden is operated by the university’s Department of Biology and serves as a field site for botany, entomology, photography, painting and other classes. In addition to its California, New Zealand, butterfly, Asian and desert sections, the garden also features greenhouses where botanically notable plants are grown. The garden is open to the community.

For more information about the botanic garden, visit its Web site at www.csun.edu/botanicgarden/.