Located in Gorst Avenue opposite the Information Centre, the Te Awamutu Rose Garden is one of the best public rose gardens in New Zealand and confirms the towns reputation as the ‘rose town’ of New Zealand.
Opened in 1969, the garden contains over 50 varieties planted in large formal beds and features over 2500 plants. Flowering begins in November and continues until May.
I visited your beautiful gardens the other day – the roses are just superb. Can you please advise me on what I saw. I had always been told that when mulching roses never cover the crown of the bush. I noticed all your plants had the crown covered. I have 3 questions: a) which is the correct way to mulch and b) what sort of mulch do you use as I found your roses to be very healthy and c) I use mainly YATES Shield/Super Shield as my main defence against diseases and little critters. Is there a better spray? I have 73 roses in my garden and would like to keep them for sometime yet. I live in Taupo. Thanks and Cheers.
I’m not familiar with how the roses are looked after at the Te Amamutu gardens as the local council maintains them. You are correct through about the mulch and that it should be kept clear of the crowns. I don’t know what they use to mulch the roses but you can use almost anything, its all up to your preferences and what is available. I know fine pink bark is sometimes used but it needs to be well composted otherwise you get nitrogen taken from the soil with the bark breaking down. Shield/Super Shield are fine to use. A winter clean up spray with copper is always recommended as is keeping you roses well watered and fed, removing spent blooms and making sure they get enough sunlight. Hope that helps, Hayden Foulds, NZRS Webmaster.