Rogers Rose Garden
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 and 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.
New Zealand Cultivar Garden
The Native plant display has been developed in an area known as Fergusson Glade, situated along the walkway past the entrance to the French Rose Garden, and extending to the Govenor's Lawn. It features a selection of cultivars bred from New Zealand native plants - displaying the diverse range of form and growth habit. A garden for all seasons, there is always something to treat the eye, whether it be for example fthe delightful show of flowers put on by the Pomaderris kumaraho in spring or the majestic form and foliage colour of the Libocedrus plumosa at any time of year. Indeed the New Zealand cultivars should not be taken for granted.
Rhododendron Lawn
A steep bank planted in towering Pines provides the acidic, woodland conditions favored by Rhododendrons. This steep wooded area and other gardens bordering the path that circles the Rhododendros Lawn accommodate the Rhododendron collection and a number of other acid loving and complementary shrubs such as Pieris, Axalea, Skimmia, and Leucothoe. This collection is at its best in September/October, and the perfume is exquisite in the early evening. The garden also features a variety of small deciduous trees - various Alnus, with their special bark, Cornus, Magnolia, Acer and also a variety of perennials that associate well with these shrubs and trees, thriving in the dappled shade. As the winter and spring flowering shrubs shed their petals, the Hosta and Aresaema come to life.
On the Lawn, one truly magnificent tree rules - the Eucalyptus viminalis, or 'Mana Gum'. This tree is a majestic beauty - try viewing it on one of Waikato's misty winter mornings.
Bordering the Lawn, and set down to the Lake is the Hispanic Garden. The garden, sponsored by the local Hispanic Society, features a copy of a famous Roberto Burl Marx sculpture and a landing with names of all the Hispanic Countries.
Hammond Camellia Garden
The Camellia Garden was established in 1982, and named after Hubert Hammond MBE. It is sited behind the Victorian Greenhouse, on Cobham Drive, and visitors may enjoy views out over the Turtle Lake and lower gardens from a lookout in the Garden. A path leads up through the Rhododendrons from the Rhododendron Lawn on the lower level to the Camellia Garden on the upper level.
A central focus is the circular garden featuring a number of species, with entry points through two pergolas, one planted with C. sasqanqua 'Mine No Yuke' and the other with C. Hyb. 'Elegant Beauty'. In the areas surrounding the round lawn a variety of different types of cultivars are displayed, including different forms such as bush, miniature, climber, espaliered and standard, along with a range of flower type and colour.
Victorian Flower Garden
The Victorian Flower Garden is one of the collection of Cultivar Gardens that feature plants selected and bred for the garden. In the Victorian Flower Garden there are really two themes. Firstly the garden and Greenhouses featuring plants bred for colour and curiosity and secondly a 19th century garden in the English gardenesque tradition.
In some respects this garden could equally be considered one of the Paradise Garden Collection but its location and form have evolved from the existing garden features that were largely developed in the early 1960's. This included many of the elements typical of the gardenesque tradition such as greenhouses, 'smooth' lawn, some novelty specimen trees, formal bedding, mixed borders, shrubbery, and curved gravel walks. From the late 19th century till the 1960's municipal parks generally preserved the Victorian gardenesque style but since the 1960's many have been lost to changing tastes and the pressure to reduce maintenance. While the Bunya Bunya is the only element of notable value that must be preserved, examples of this style of garden will become increasingly rare and worthy of preservation.
