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Residents and board raise alarm over rose rosette affecting city rose garden
Summary
Board members reported claims that the Farmers Branch rose garden is infected with rose rosette disease and requested a formal update next month; a resident volunteer offered assistance that staff said had been declined in the past.
Board members said a resident posted concerns that the rose garden at the historical park is infected with rose rosette disease and urged the city to address the issue. The resident, identified in the transcript as Pam Smith (described as a former employee), posted that infected roses could spread mites to visitors’ clothing and potentially transmit the disease to private gardens.
Board members asked staff for a formal rose garden update at the next meeting. Staff said they had observed signs of rose rosette in some plantings on the west side and acknowledged the city faces challenges managing the disease across multiple rose bushes. Staff also said Pam Smith had offered a volunteer workforce to remove and replace roses and that the board would check on the offer.
Why it matters: Rose rosette disease (a plant pathogen transmitted by eriophyid mites) can spread through plant material and affect public plantings and private gardens. Board members stressed the need for an update and for steps to limit spread while preserving the public garden.
Board direction: The board requested a focused rose garden status report and recommended staff follow up on the volunteer offer and removal/replanting options.
