31 March 2025
Over 1,200 roses, representing nearly every rose family in the world, were planted thanks to Trevor Griffiths, his family, and the Timaru community.
Nan Raymond was the chair of the Timaru Beautifying Society and with her team, gifted the garden debt-free to the people of South Canterbury in 2001 to be cared for by the Timaru District Council.
Some roses here are ancient, evolving in the wild over millions of years. Others have been bred over a few centuries to bloom with selected colours, petals, and scents.
In 2012, the garden received the World Federation of Rose Societies Garden of Excellence Award, and in 2023, it was awarded five stars by the New Zealand Gardens Trust.
We made a free fact sheet in honour of their efforts and to help you smell the roses. It's available at the South Canterbury Museum and Timaru Information Centre. Or you can view/download here: https://www.wuhootimaru.co.nz/roses
Can you smell the scent of 1,000s roses?
Can you see how the layout resembles a fish? Why do you think that is?
Do you see how the roses have been planted by colour?
How many different types of pollinators can you find?
Can you spot how the golden ratio repeats in the flowers?
We love the Timaru Festival of Roses that celebrates the garden when it is at its peak beauty for the year.
Nan Raymond and Pam Leslie, in Nan's garden in Sealy Street, Timaru, circa 1991. Timaru Herald photo for an article (Wednesday 24 November 1993). The two were organising a Tea Dance to raise funds for a water supply for an orphanage in Romania. Nan's love for gardens can be seen all over Timaru. South Canterbury Museum 2012/186.8088
Rose grower Trevor Griffiths, pictured with a pink rose bush, circa 1991. South Canterbury Museum CN 2012/186.3696
Frances Glasby organised the Dead Headers Society, a group of volunteers who gave 7000 voluntary hours removing the dead rose flowers to encourage more bloom, improve the plant's health and to look tidy and well maintained. 1989. South Canterbury Museum 2012/186.3452