15 January 2020
We took a stroll through the Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden this afternoon. I'm told there is a section of Tea Roses that smell like... yep Tea! So we went to in investigate. There are over 1100 Roses here. A very important collection for Rose appreciation and conservation. "TREVOR Griffiths spent 50 years creating the world's third largest collection of Old Roses in his nursery near Temuka. ... it is said without his passion and work, many Old Roses would now be extinct".
The garden opened in 2001 with an epic effort from the Timaru Beautifying Society and generous donors and has seen over 7000 hours by volunteers dead heading the Southern Hemisphere's biggest rose garden. The TDC council manages the general garden maintenance. And it's FREE to visit any time rain or shine! Gosh we are lucky.
Just across town you can see the significant Species Rose Garden at The Timaru Botanic Gardens... around with the dinosaurs, these are the genetic origin of all the Roses we smell AND see today. There are many Old English Roses and Heritage Roses there too. We caught up with Francis Glasby today who has volunteered for 25 years to the beautifying society, it was fascinating hearing about the gardens evolution and significance. We took some books out from the library today to learn more about Roses, and think we might try to put something together for a Wuhoo Timaru Colourful Facts sheet celebrating our significant Rose collections.
Do you have a favorite Rose? Have special information you'd like to share? We welcome your help