Everything’s coming up roses

Wellington’s popular Lady Norwood Rose Garden has won the prestigious 2015 World Federation of Rose Societies Garden of Excellence Award.

Nominated by the New Zealand Rose Society, the award was announced at the Federation’s 17th World Convention of Rose Societies held in Lyon, France between May and June of this year.

Mayor Celia Wade-Brown says the Lady Norwood Rose Garden brings joy to more than a million local and overseas visitors each year. “The garden is an absolute delight,” she says.

“This international award is a tribute to many hours of hard work by the Council’s Botanic Gardens team and their high standards of horticultural skill,” she says.

The Lady Norwood Rose Garden has over 3,000 roses in 110 beds and includes traditional climbers, standards and other bush roses.

Portfolio Leader for the WCC Environment Committee, Cr Helen Ritchie, says the Lady Norwood Rose Garden is one of the finest rose gardens in the southern hemisphere.

“This award acknowledges a very special garden and one of New Zealand’s great rose gardens,” says Cr Ritchie.

“Success of the rose displays is down to growing trials and integrated pest management techniques which includes minimal use of chemical sprays, regular soil testing and rose plant assessments,” she says.

Substantial donations from Sir Charles and Lady Rana Norwood were instrumental in the creation of the garden.

Previous New Zealand garden winners include the Rogers Rose Garden in Hamilton Gardens in 2006 and the Dugald MacKenzie Garden in Palmerston North in 2003.

The best time to see the roses and get some tips from the rose team is from mid-November to December.

ENDS

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