Virus postpones Sacramento rose events

The roses are still there even if the events can't be. This is the mutabilis rose in the Historic City Cemetery, which as a 

park is still open for solo walks.  (2019 photo: Kathy Morrison)

Cemetery cancels Open Garden; rose society puts show on hold

Coronavirus has put more major gardening events on hold, making Sacramento a little less rosy.

The Historic City Cemetery’s ever-popular Open Garden, originally planned for April 18 and 19, has been canceled. So have three other Cemetery Rose Walk and Talk tours, planned for late April and early May.

Volunteers for the cemetery’s Heritage Rose Garden hope to reschedule Open Garden to sometime in fall, if restrictions are lifted at that time. Open Garden, which showcases the cemetery’s world-famous rose garden as well as native plant and perennial gardens, annually attracts hundreds of visitors.

These were the winning blooms at the Sacramento Rose Society's 2019 show.

(Photo: Debbie Arrington)

In addition, the Sacramento Rose Society has postponed its annual rose show, originally planned for April 25 at Shepard Garden and Arts Center. Organizers hope to reschedule the show to a later date.

While events may be on hold, roses are still coming into bloom. As a city park, the Historic City Cemetery is still open daily to the public from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Visitors can take a self-guided tour and see – and smell – the roses for themselves. Best bloom is still two to three weeks away.

For details and the self-guided tour: www.historicoldcitycemetery.org.

- Debbie Arrington