USM Marks 50th Anniversary of Beloved All-American Rose Garden

Wed, 12/11/2024 - 12:01pm | By: Dr. David Tisdale

“There is simply the rose; it is perfect in every moment of its existence.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Fifty years ago, the idea for a rose garden on The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Hattiesburg campus took root through the efforts of local devotees of the internationally beloved flower and support of the university’s then president, Dr. William McCain. 

Today, the Southern Miss Rose Garden, accredited in 1975 as a Public Rose Garden by All-American Rose Selections, Inc., features more than 35 varieties of roses and 550 plants; it’s considered a must-see spot for visitors to the university and Hattiesburg area during the spring and summer blooming season. Located near the front entrance of the campus, the semicircular garden includes 32 separate beds, each containing its own unique hybrid of roses, and is an oft-visited spot for tourists in the area and where USM students traditionally get photographed in their graduation day regalia.

The Southern Miss Rose Garden, also known as the All-American Rose Garden, was the brainchild of the late William Wicht, then president of the Hattiesburg Area Rose Society (HARS). Along with other members of the organization in 1972, he proposed the initiative for the garden at USM that was also endorsed by Dr. McCain. Planting and establishment of the garden’s beds went forward throughout 1973, with an official dedication in 1974. 

Southern Miss President Emeritus Dr. Aubrey K. Lucas praised Wicht’s vision and the passion of his fellow HARS members, and Dr. McCain’s enthusiastic backing of the project, that turned the dream of a rose garden on campus into reality. 

“There were initial concerns in the beginning about the potential cost and upkeep of a rose garden, but the rosarians in Hattiesburg were very much in favor of it, and Dr. McCain was also adamant in his support of the project,” Dr. Lucas recounted. “We’re fortunate that they persisted, and through the years created one of the most interesting and beautiful places to visit on campus and in the city.”

Now maintained by staff of the USM Physical Plant, the Southern Miss Rose Garden has been honored multiple times with awards and recognition for maintenance and display, featured in The American Rose magazine (1992), and more recently in Southern Living magazine as one of the top 15 most beautiful rose gardens to visit in the South.

“Having worked to bring visitors to Hattiesburg for more than 30 years, the USM Rose Garden has always been a high point to showcase,” said Rick Taylor, executive director of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission. “Often, it was the first stop on bus tours through Hattiesburg, and the care that USM takes of this special place always sets the standard for visitors to our city.”

The EF-4 tornado of 2013 that struck the Hattiesburg area and USM nearly wiped out the rose garden. According to Mike Scully, associate director of the USM Physical Plant, efforts continue in bringing the garden back to its original population of approximately 800 plants, and in its recovery from other weather-induced challenges that include the December 2022 freeze and extreme drought of summer 2023.

Scully credits Jim Mills at K&M Roses in Buckatunna, Miss. for helping in the revival of the rose garden with his generous donation of 500 new plants following the 2013 tornado. He said installation of more new plants took place in the spring of this year, but cautioned patience as he believes it could take more time to re-establish the beds, with some losses possible in the future. Other plans for the garden include updating signs on each bed in the next couple of years as new plants are added.

Growing roses can be challenging, but Scully says the rewards are great with the anticipation of the blooming season. Crews use fungicides, insecticides, and fertilizers to maintain the plants, while remaining vigilant in staving off new invasive insects that can pose a threat to the roses. 

The work of pruning rose shrubs from mature height down to 15-18 inches takes place around the middle of February and into March, depending on the weather. “This is when we remove dead, dying, diseased canes, and crossing canes,” Scully explained. “We aim to keep the outside buds while removing inside buds to encourage air flow and a vase-type shape.”

Pruned roses start blooming again in mid-April and continue until November. Once blooming starts, dead or spent flowers are removed weekly to encourage new blooms, and plants are thinned to create good airflow; the rose garden beds are also mulched with pine straw to help prevent weeds and protect the plant's crown. Pine straw also helps control moisture and curb the spread of disease, and the use of slow-release fertilizers and Epsom salt helps spur green growth and more colorful blooms. 

Since starting work at USM in the beginning of 2022, Scully says it’s been his focus to continue restoration of the All-American Rose Garden to its former glory.

“We’ll continue each year to outdo ourselves over the last year,” Scully vowed. “We still have a long way to go, but progress can be seen.”

Joshua Oberst took over as lead groundskeeper and Rose Garden foreman in July, succeeding Jammerrell McGilvery, who retired after 25 years in the post. 

“The USM campus is one of the most beautiful parts of Hattiesburg, so it's an honor to assume the role of rose garden foreman at Southern Miss,” Oberst said. “I had a great teacher in Jammerrell, who learned his skill set from Larry Underwood.

“Although it's been here 50 years, the rose garden is always changing, and we want to improve the experience for visitors in meaningful, engaging ways,” Oberst continued, noting the placement of new signage for easy identification of the rose bushes and a website with more information on each variety featured.

Oberst concurs with Scully on the challenges of upkeep of roses, describing them as an “intimidating branch” of the gardening world due to their susceptibility to blight and their “ravenous appetites,” but agrees that the results are more than worth it. “There's always more to learn about roses, and that keeps the job interesting.” 

Scully praised Oberst as a great fit for the position of rose garden foreman. “Josh has a wealth of knowledge in regard to roses, and a true love for landscaping,” Scully said. “He continues to surprise and impress us with his out-of-the-box thinking and has an authentic passion for all our beautiful roses on campus." 

Unauthorized picking of roses in the garden is punishable with a $250 fine; however, during spring graduation and at other times, ground crews may gift cut roses to students and their family members touring the garden.

“Over the decades, this garden has hosted countless special moments for the community: romantic walks, family portraits, proposals and I've been told, even a wedding,” Oberst said. “We love to see people engaging with this space, whether they're students, faculty, staff or visitors.” 

For USM Executive Director of Student Life Dr. Laura Laughlin, rich traditions like a visit to the rose garden are part of what makes Southern Miss special. “Not only is it a beautiful addition at the front of the Hattiesburg campus, but it’s also a treasured campus landmark,” she said. 

Wicht’s grandson, Ward Wicht, is gratified to see his grandfather’s efforts remain a point of pride for the USM and Hattiesburg communities a half-century later. 

“I'm thrilled about the garden’s 50th anniversary and proud of my grandfather for his volunteer work in its establishment,” he said. “It was a great collaborative effort involving USM leadership, the Hattiesburg Area Rose Society, and the Physical Plant team, and remains a stunning feature at the campus entrance. I hope it continues to be enjoyed for another 50 years and beyond.”

Oberst extends an open invitation to anyone who needs a moment or two to decompress with a visit to the Southern Miss Rose Garden to enjoy its tranquil beauty.

“Life is stressful. We invite everyone to take a break and go for a walk in the garden,” he said. “Stop and smell the roses!”

To support the Southern Miss Rose Garden through the Wicht Family Rose Garden Endowment, Fund #1836, contact the USM Foundation or call 601.266.5210.