The Pacific Rose Bowl Festival takes place every November in the Rogers Rose Garden, located in the beautiful Hamilton Gardens. The four-day Festival is centered around the New Zealand Rose of the Year Trial. The New Zealand Rose of the Year is one of only two Rose Trials in the Southern Hemisphere that are judged by public votes. There is also a Children’s Choice Award section. The roses in the trial are clearly marked and all you have to … [Read more...]
Pilgrimage North
2014 marks 200 years since the first roses were introduced to New Zealand and to celebrate this occasion, Heritage Roses Northland is hosting ‘Pilgrimage North’ from November 20th – 25th 2014. … [Read more...]
2013 NZRS Trial winners
New roses from New Zealand and overseas breeders lead the way with awards at the New Zealand International Rose Trials in Palmerston North in late November 2013. The trials, which are operated as a partnership between the New Zealand Rose Society (Inc) and the Palmerston North City Council, aim to trial un-released rose varieties from leading New Zealand and International rose breeders with the view to their possible release onto the local … [Read more...]
2012 NZRS trial ground winners
New roses from New Zealand and overseas breeders lead the way with awards at the New Zealand International Rose Trials in Palmerston North in early December 2012. … [Read more...]
A legacy of roses
The latest issue of the Weekend Gardener magazine features old fashioned roses that are growing in Dunedin's Northern Cemetary where Heritage Roses Otago are involved in maintaining this important collection of roses. Find out the many reasons why you should be planting old roses in your garden. This issue is onsale now from all leading supermarkets, bookshops, newsagents, garden centres or subscribe to the Weekend Gardener magazine by calling … [Read more...]
Roses without sprays
The latest issue of the Weekend Gardener magazine features Hawkes Bay gardener Georgina Campbell and her thoughts on growing roses organically without the use of sprays. Her garden features over 2000 varieties of all types interplanted with other flowering plants. In the last two years, Georgina has been establishing a collection of roses from the McGredy rose breeding dynasty, including Dr Sam McGredy who moved to New Zealand from Ireland in … [Read more...]
Clean sweep of awards for NZ rose breeder
Tauranga rose breeder Rob Somerfield of Glenavon Roses swept all the awards from the recently announced New Zealand International Rose Trial Ground Awards in Palmerston North. This is the first time a rose breeder has won all the awards presented for a single trial and confirms Rob’s reputation as New Zealand’s leading rose breeder. The trials, which are operated as a partnership between the New Zealand Rose Society (Inc) and the Palmerston … [Read more...]
Rose Buying Guide
Most roses are bagged in black plastic bags by the garden centre for sale to the public. When choosing a bush look at: Sturdy canes Choose a rose with sturdy canes, three or four that are fresh looking, either green or red in colour. Avoid rips and slashes if possible. Be Picky Don’t be tempted to buy the last one of a variety. Often it will be a poor specimen. Sight the rose Buy a rose if you can that you have seen. Some retailers have … [Read more...]
Winter Rose Care
The spring blooms are a joy and an inspiration after the often-dreary winter. Time spent now will pay big dividends for the new season. The focus for these months is on the four P's preparation, purchasing, planting and pruning. PREPARATION: Any new beds should be prepared in April/May. Where drainage is not the best it is important to raise the beds - up to a foot if necessary. Raised beds are in fashion anyway and there are some nice … [Read more...]
A Rose to Suit Your Garden
You’ve decided to jazz up your garden with a few roses, so here are some suggestions… Now is the time to see, select and wait. Decide on a site, and the look you want to achieve. Be adventurous and use your imagination in your mix of colour, shape, perfume and beauty. Climbers can be trained along a fence. A standard rose looks great as a feature in a lawn. Plant several to screen a drive. Low-growing bush roses could line a path or the … [Read more...]