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 From
early November to May, the roses in Te Awamutu's Rose Gardens are in
bloom for everyone to enjoy. Thousands of visitors stop by each year
to take in the sights and smells of the flowers.
Te Awamutu, "Rosetown of New Zealand," is a small town of about 10,000 people and is located about 20 minutes southeast of where we live. It is a quaint little place and boasts one of the areas best roses gardens. The Te Awamutu Rose Gardens were established in 1969 and featured in the Inaugural World Rose Convention held in Hamilton, NZ, in 1971. Since its establishment, the gardens have grown to more than 2000 rose bushes, made up of more than fifty different varieties. The land upon which the Gardens sit was once a piece of rugged waste land, untidy and derelict. In 1969, the project was considered an "8 month miracle," since that was the amount of time it took the Jaycees and other community organizations to transform this piece of dirt into the beautiful park-like setting that is seen there today. |
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Another feature located in the Gardens is the water fountain. It was designed by Aucklander Fred Graham and depicts a flight of birds landing on water. The fountain was donated by the Te Awamutu Beautification Society.
Te Awamutu hosts the country's Rose Festival each year during the first week of November and The Rose Gardens are the main attraction. Vendors line the main street with stalls, selling their wares, mostly arts and crafts. The first time I visited the garden was with my Garden Circle club in 2004. I have since been back by myself to enjoy the roses and take pictures at my leisure. |
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