Adelaide’s premier rose garden gets revamp for global recognition

Adelaide Botanic Garden’s International Rose Garden is undergoing a significant revitalisation, with the aim of achieving international recognition through an Award of Garden Excellence from the World Federation of Rose Societies in 2022.

Funded by donors and in-kind contributions of more than $90,000 to the Adelaide Botanic Garden Foundation’s 2021 Annual Appeal, the upgrades will include new signage and plant labelling, educational interpretation, rose plant renewal and landscaping enhancements amongst other improvements.

Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium Director, Michael Harvey, said the International Rose Garden is already a popular area of the garden, and the upgrades will further enhance each visitors’ experience.

“The rose is one of the world’s favourite flowers and we are excited to be putting Adelaide’s beautiful rose garden firmly on the global map for local, interstate and international visitors alike,” said Mr Harvey.

“As well as creating a beautiful new horticultural display, we are keen to share stories – exploring rose biology, and their long relationship with people through rose breeding, fragrance, literature and history.

“We are incredibly grateful to those who have given their support to make these enhancements happen, including philanthropic donors and Neutrog Australia who, through our mutual R&D partnership, have supplied biological products to help the plants thrive.

“Spring is one of the best times to see the Rose Garden, with the first flush of roses in full and fragrant bloom. However, they will continue to flower all the way through summer and autumn, so be sure to see and smell them for yourself,” he continued.

To be nominated for the World Rose Federation’s Award of Garden Excellence, the garden must be at least five years old, be open to the public, contain at least 500 roses and 100 rose varieties, and demonstrate sustained performance in conducting international rose trials.

Just four other gardens in Australia have received this particular worldwide accreditation, with none yet in South Australia.

Adelaide’s International Rose Garden will be judged on a number of categories including beauty, educational information, rose diversity, amenity and more.

The garden is also home to the National Rose Trial Garden, where roses are tested for their suitability for the Australian climate before going on commercial sale in Australia, giving a significant economic advantage for the Australian rose industry.

In October 2022, Adelaide will host the World Rose Convention, where experts and rose lovers will come together to learn, share and enjoy a large scale public exhibition.

The revitalisation projects are expected to be completed by mid-2022.