Morwell Centenary Rose Garden
Take a stroll around Morwell's beautiful Centenary Rose Garden that forms the western entrance to the town's business district. The Rose Garden is one of the finest in the southern hemisphere and is now listed in the World Federation of Rose Societies.
Map of Morwell Centenary Rose Garden
There are four acres of gardens, imaginatively landscaped with manicured lawns and over 100 beds in which are planted some 3000 roses, drawn from a professional selection of 400 varieties of recent hybrids and traditional favourites. Among these varieties are species, heritage, floribunda, tea roses, hybrid teas, miniatures, polyantha, rugosa, rambler and pillar roses. There is also a cascading rockery of David Austin modern shrub roses and a sunken garden planted with perfumed Delbard releases.
A summary of the types of roses at the Morwell Centenary Rose Garden is:
HYBRID TEA ROSES
Modern large flowered roses usually borne on single stems. First recognised Hybrid Tea Rose is 'La France' raised in 1867. World Federation of Rose Societies Hall of Fame recipients in the Garden include 'Papa Meinand', 'Dina', 'Double Delight', ' Just Joey' and the large flowered climber 'Pierre de Ronsard'.
FLORIBUNDA ROSES
Modern small flowered roses usually borne in clusters. Includes both short and taller growing varieties often used for standards (e.g. 'Red Pixie) and for massed plantings (e.g. 'Europeana', 'Gold Bunny' and 'Elizabeth of Glamis).
OLD GARDEN, SHRUB AND SPECIES ROSES
Heritage roses of historical significance, Species roses and Shrub roses of both old and modern type. Many varieties throughout the Garden including large plantings in Northern area. Includes Rugosas, Weeping Roses 'Sea Foam' and 'Crepuscule'.
CLIMBING ROSES
Modern and Heritage roses with long lateral canes. Includes Pillar roses, climbing Hybrid Tea, climbing Floribunda and climbing Shrub roses. Plantings from French breeder Delbard can be found in the Arbour as well as his variety 'Guy Savoy' on a northern frame.
DAVID AUSTIN ROSES
Modern shrub roses raised by English breeder David Austin. Modern roses with old type form usually with repeat flowering qualities. Many varieties, some with pillar like (climbing) qualities, others with floribunda type growth.
GROUNDCOVER ROSES
Roses that grow and spread close to the ground. Flowers usually borne in clusters on long arching canes. Many are bred from climbers including 'Rosy Carpet' and 'Royal Bassino'.
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ROSES
Roses raised from seed by breeders in Australia or New Zealand Many well known breeders are represented including Sam McGredy, Alister Clark, Frank Riethmuller, Ron Bell, George Thomson and Eric Welsh. Sports or Mutations discovered in Australia are not permitted in this section, but are included in other areas of the Garden.
The garden features a number of significant structures that enhance and complement the roses. A central gazebo summer house supports several fine examples of Pierre De Ronsard underplanted with Iceberg shrubs. The Gazebo is surrounded by beds containing mass plantings, several of which have central towers. Upon these are trained such roses as Princess Margaret, Jean Galbraith and Handel. There are also tall decorative climbing frames, a pergola, several tunnel archways and dry wells containing well maintained tall standard weeping Crepuscules. Gravelled pathways meander throughout, leading to a magnificent tubular Arbour set within a sensory garden of perfumed Delbard shrub and climbing roses.
Adjacent roadway median strips and traffic roundabouts contain mass plantings of Tequila Sunrise, Royal Bassino, Europeana, Rosy Carpet, Heidesommer and Flower Carpet Gold.
To provide additional colour and interest in the garden throughout the year, plantings of spring bulbs, camellias, azaleas, annuals and perennials have been made within a park setting of established exotic and native trees.
The area has carparks, picnic tables, water tap shaded seating and toilets. The best time to visit is from November to late March/April, when the roses are in peak bloom, with November offering the first major flush. We visited in mid February and there were plenty of roses in bloom.
Photos:
Location
11 Maryvale Crescent, Morwell 3840 View Map
✆ (03) 5134 1039 / 0434 958 962
Email Enquiry
Web Links
→ www.morwellrosegarden.com.au
→ Morwell Rose Garden Map Flyer
