A visual delight awaits at Rogers Rose Garden
Many visitors to Hamilton Gardens are keen to see flowers and in late spring and summer, Rogers Rose Garden showcases plenty of beautiful roses in a variety of colours and varieties.
A history of roses
Rogers Rose Garden tells the story of the development of the modern rose through a series of themed areas, each focusing on a different aspect. These include the species rose; the Malmaison roses of Empress Josephine; the development of the first hybrid tea by Jean-Baptiste Andre Guillot; the ‘Peace’ rose, Madame Meilland and its descendants; and recent cultivars, including past and present winners of the New Zealand Rose of the Year trials.
Late spring is the best time to visit Rogers Rose Garden
November is the best month to visit Roger’s Rose Garden as not only are the roses in bloom but the Pacific Rose Bowl Festival is held every November. During the Festival you can vote for your favourite rose. Unlike most other rose competitions around the world which are judged by experts, the New Zealand Rose of the Year has been judged by the public since 2004. Competition classes include Best New Zealand Raised Rose, Best Hybrid Tea Rose, Best Climbing Rose, Best Floribunda, Most Fragrant Rose and the Children’s Choice Award. The overall winner wins the prestigious New Zealand Rose of the Year Award. Everyone is welcome at this free festival.
What’s your favourite rose?
Did you know that Hamilton Gardens has its own rose fittingly named Hamilton Gardens? There is even a creamy pink rose, Julie Marguerite, especially cultivated to honour two term former Mayor Julie Hardaker. Hamilton Gardens Director Lucy Ryan said her favourite rose is called Looking Good. “It’s a prolific bloomer and disease resistance and keeps going and going,” she said. Looking Good is a rose bred by Rob Somerfield to fundraise for and highlight the work done by the ‘Look Good, Feel better’ Foundation who support people with cancer. We’d love to see photos of your favourite rose – please share it to our Facebook or Instagram page.
Rogers Rose Garden is best accessed via Gate 2 at Hamilton Gardens. Rogers Rose Garden will continue to bloom throughout the summer so there is plenty of time to check out this visual delight.
