Congratulations to Bob Matthews of Matthews Nurseries Ltd Whanganui who was recently presented with the New Zealand Rose Award for service to the rose in New Zealand. Bob's lifelong passion for roses started at a young age. Bob, along with wife Cath took over Matthews Nurseries Ltd from Bob's parents in 1978 and since then, it has become one of New Zealand's largest and leading rose growers. Bob has given countless hours of his time and … [Read more...]
Blue September
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month so what better rose to feature than ‘Blue September’, a new release for 2024. ‘Blue September’ features clusters of fragrant lilac blue blooms, opening to reveal bee-friendly stamens. A medium growing plant with few thorns, this is an easy care variety suitable for all gardens. Bred by Bob Matthews, himself a prostate cancer survivor, $2 from the sale of each plant will be donated to the Prostate … [Read more...]
In Friendship
Roses are often named for special occasions or to raise funds for various causes. This month’s featured rose has been named to mark the centenary of Inner Wheel, a voluntary service organisation for woman. ‘In Friendship’ has clusters of true red blooms on a bushy, healthy plant that grows to one metre. A very free flowering variety, it will make a great display in any garden. Bred by Bob Matthews, ‘In Friendship’ is only … [Read more...]
Lilac Temptation
To end 2023, we feature one of the winners from the New Zealand Rose of the Year trials for 2023‘Lilac Temptation’ received the award for best climbing roses and is a welcome addition to the range of climbing roses in New Zealand. The nostalgic-shaped ruffled blooms are strongly scented and have a good repeat. A vigorous, healthy plant to 2.9 metres. Bred by Bob Matthews of Matthews Nurseries. Available from Matthews Nurseries and their … [Read more...]
New Zealand rose breeder takes top award at rose trial
New Zealand rose breeder Bob Matthews has taken out the top award at the New Zealand Rose Society International Rose Trial Grounds in Palmerston North in late November. Mr Matthews variety, named ‘Allison Scott’ for a prominent rosarian won the Gold Star of the South Pacific for the highest scoring rose on trial. The success of the orange flowering variety caps off a year of celebrations for the Matthews family as they celebrate 75 years of … [Read more...]
A Gardeners Dream
To kick off 2023, we feature a welcome addition to the apricot coloured roses available. ‘A Gardeners Dream’ produces clusters of ruffled apricot blooms with the added bonus of a scent to enjoy. A low to medium growing plant, it is an easy care variety and looks especially stunning growing in groups. One of the ‘My Rose’ series bred by Bob Matthews, this rose was named for Wanganui Garden Centre who celebrated 75 years in business in 2022 … [Read more...]
Wish Come True
This month we feature one of the new releases for winter 2022 that has been named to celebrate 75 years of Matthews Nurseries Ltd in 2022. It is also part of the My Rose Collection. ‘Wish Come True’ features cupped blooms of soft lemon to cream. An added bonus is there is a refreshing scent. A medium-growing plant with excellent health, there are plenty of blooms to enjoy throughout the summer months. Bred by Bob Matthews who has bred … [Read more...]
Legend
Of all the different types of roses, the Hybrid Teas are what people often associate roses as being – large, well-formed blooms with scent being a desirable bonus. ‘Legend’ is one of the best Hybrid Teas to be released in recent years and should appeal to those who like to pick flowers from their garden. The large honey apricot blooms are richly scented and repeat well. The healthy plant grows to 1.1 metres high so is ideal for any garden, … [Read more...]
Pink Ribbon
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and what better rose to feature than the newly released rose ‘Pink Ribbon’ ‘Pink Ribbon’ is a stunning free flowering rose with masses of soft pink cupped blooms covering the compact, bushy growing plant. An ideal rose for a pot or to grow in the garden. It looks especially stunning planted in large groups and is also good as a standard. Bred by Bob Matthews of Matthews Nurseries, $2 from the sale of … [Read more...]
Valerie Webster
For the first month of 2021, we feature one of the winners from the NZRS International Rose Trials in Palmerston North which were announced at the end of November. Clusters of pure yellow blooms, lightly scented feature on a very healthy, medium growing plant with glossy green foliage. Named in celebration of Zonta International’s Centennial year in 2019 and for their beloved past Governor Valerie Webster. Presented with a Certificate of Merit … [Read more...]