The working bee, earlier this month, planted 12 new heritage roses donated by the members on the eastern side of the church located in the Orange Botanic Garden.

Heritage Rose Group coordinator Sharyn Pussell said the plantings will grow into a uniform hedge of rugosa alba roses.

"The flowers will bloom in time for spring and they have a beautiful fragrance," she said.

"The members maintained physical distancing with one rose bush in between each person, didn't share tools and hand washing facilities were available."

As the coronavirus restrictions lift, Ms Pussell said the group has started meeting face-to-face in the heritage garden.

"During the lockdown period we weren't allowed to meet and we had to put forward a risk management plan to Orange City Council so we could continue our volunteer work," she said.

"The members are really happy to be back in the garden and to chat to other people.

"We have 23 members, some who are not active volunteers but they still have an interest to be a part of the group and to pass on their knowledge."

The Heritage Rose Group meets in the Botanic Garden on the first Monday of each month at 9:30am.

For more details on how you can join the group, call 0427892486.