Blooming beautiful at Broadgreen

COLIN SMITH

ROSE BREAK: Broadgreen House committee member Robin Hall and Nelson City Council's Chris Blythe enjoy the blooms in the Samuels Rose Garden.

Thousands of roses are in full bloom, ready to take centre stage at this Sunday's Rose Day in the grounds of Nelson's Broadgreen Historic House.

This year the annual event, in its 41st year, has a horticultural and flowers theme.

Along with plenty on offer from about 30 stalls, there will be a garden pest advice clinic run by Nelmac gardeners; an art competition open to children and adults, judged by artist Rose Shepherd; and a chance for children to paint plant pots.

This year, the organisers were trying to make even more of a connection with the Samuels Rose Garden in the grounds, to make Rose Day distinct from other heritage events, said Nelson City Council community liaison adviser Chris Blythe.

Eyebright will do a flower arrangement demonstration and a Tasman Bay Roses representative will conduct tours of the garden.

"We're hoping that we can get more organisations which are interested in flowers involved in the future," he said.

The rose garden was opened in 1968 and is the largest rose garden in Nelson with about 3000 plants. It includes about 560 named varieties.

The public garden is named after the late SJ Samuels, a rose nurseryman who helped the city council establish it.

Broadgreen's annual is an important fundraiser for the Broadgreen Society, which runs it in partnership with the council.

Society committee member Robin Hall said money raised went toward the maintenance of the house, which the city council bought in 1965.

"It's a national treasure," she said. "It's important that Nelson people own it."

With the roses blooming slightly later this year, Rose Day is two weeks later than usual, but those attending will be treated to a glorious display.

And, Mrs Hall adds, with lots of stalls, it's a perfect opportunity to do some Christmas shopping. There will also be raffles and Devonshire teas, Flossie the Balloon Lady and music and dancing demonstrations.

Broadgreen Historic House was built by Edmund Buxton in 1853 and one of his six daughters married the family gardener. In her memory, Adeline of Broadgreen, a pink-apricot tea rose, was commissioned by the Broadgreen Society to celebrate Broadgreen's 150th anniversary.

In 1984, an old-fashioned rose section was added to the garden.

ROSE DAY

Broadgreen Historic House, Nayland Rd. Sunday, 11am - 3pm. Activities include a garden pest advice clinic, rose garden tours, and 30 stalls. Free entry to the grounds for Rose Day, but admission prices apply to enter Broadgreen Historic House. For the first time, Treasures and Pleasures guided evening tours of Broadgreen Historic House are also being held to relive the glamour of a Victorian evening. Several rarely seen treasures will be on display during the tours, which are being held tonight, tomorrow and Sunday, with a light supper provided. The tour costs $20 per person and bookings are essential, on 5470403.