Queensland State Rose Garden Stage 2 Opening

Queensland’s State Rose Garden in Newtown Park, Toowoomba & Toowoomba Regional Council officially opened Stage 2 on Saturday, 21st October, 2017, commencing at 10am in Newtown Park.

  Five Gardens were opened:

1 Heritage Roses in Australia Collection
This collection is from part of David Ruston’s Original Collection which consists of old roses, often found in cemeteries, old deserted homesteads and sites of burnt down buildings. Preserving these varieties is essential for the overall history of the rose and its breeding. Toowoomba is honoured to be the custodians of theses roses.

2 Frank Riethmuller Rose Collection

Frank Riethmuller, born locally in 1884 began breeding roses in his later years. Eleven varieties have been planted and to our knowledge, this is the largest collection of different Riethmuller varieties to be found in a public rose garden anywhere in the world.

3 Rod Hultgren Australian Bred Gold Medal Winners

The Gold Medal winners from the rose trial gardens will be planted in these three beds, unnamed until registered by the grower. Trial roses are assessed according to a certain criteria over a two year period. Rod Hultgren, a foundation member, initiated and organised the trials for these gardens.

4 Alister Clark Collection

Alister Clark, a noted rose breeder (from 1912 to 1949), bred roses suitable for the hot dry conditions of Australia, giving his roses to charities for fundraising or to the people for whom he’d named the roses.

5 Australian War Animal Memorial Garden

This garden includes the sculpture “Soaring Spirit” surrounded by Charles de Gaulle roses

Submitted by:
President Regina Albion
Ph 0408 282 515