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Rogers Rose Garden
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A collection demonstrating the history and development of the modern rose from species to the latest hybrids.
The Rogers Rose Garden tells the story of the development of the modern rose through a series of themed areas that each focus on a different aspect, including the species rose; the Malmaison roses of Empress Josephine; the development of the first hybrid tea by Jean-Baptiste Andre Guillot; The Peace rose, Mme Meilland, and its descendants; and recent cultivars, including past and present winners of the NZ Rose of the Year Trials. | |  |
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History In 1969 a proposal was put forward to construct a major rose garden in Hamilton as the Waikato had been chosen to host the first ever World Rose Convention. The city agreed and the Rose Garden was planned and planted that winter in what we now know as Hamilton Gardens. The mayor of Hamilton at the time was Dr Dennis Rogers and the gardens now bear his name for he too became an ardent rose fancier.To assist with the project, the Waikato Rose Society Inc donated 500 of the 4,000 bushes originally planted and helped with the selection of cultivars. The Hamilton East Rotary Club raised money for the paved area and a few years later the Hamilton East Rotary Club and the Jack family contributed money for the erection of the Jack Pavilion. Altogether there are in excess of 4,200 roses in the garden comprising approx 230 cultivars making the Rogers Rose Garden the third largest in New Zealand. Each year in the winter a pruning demonstration is held for members of the public to attend. In 1997 a new formal entrance and pergola was built as part of the ongoing improvements, which include constant evaluating of cultivars and replacing them with newer and better varieties. | | |
