Timaru will be coming up roses as it hosts the National Spring Rose Show in the Caroline Bay Hall this weekend.
Nearly 80 entrants from Northland to Invercargill — including a number of South Canterbury rose growers — will exhibit hundreds of blooms in an effort to win one of multiple categories and trophies on offer.
South Canterbury society members Margaret and Bevan Johnson said societies around New Zealand vied to host the national show, but South Canterbury being able to tie in with the popular Timaru Festival of Roses made it unique.
As well as competing in the show, exhibitors and their families were able to take in the festival, visit the world-renowned Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden and the species rose garden in the Timaru Botanic Garden.
The show featured a variety of categories, including miniature roses, David Austin varieties, floral art, individual blooms and stems of flowers.
Keen competitors will package up their entries and have them flown to Timaru for the show, to be judged by national judges from around New Zealand.
The South Canterbury Rose Society was formed in 1949, and over the years has had many rose growers taking part in shows, developing their knowledge and sharing it with others.
Admission to the show is $5 an adult; children under 16 are free if accompanied by an adult.
