Rose bushes make a wonderful lasting gift, and many more roses have suitable names to relate to a special occasion or associate with a special friend or celebration.
To celebrate a special occasion -
Golden Celebration: Shrub rose with large deep yellow flowers.
Wedding Day: vigorous rambling climber with masses of single white flowers.
Honeymoon: a medium-sized floribunda rose with creamy lemon flowers.
Anniversary: small-growing floribunda with porcelain-pink flowers.
To remember or mark the passing of someone special -
Peace: medium growing hybrid tea, large yellow blooms shaded pink.
Remember Me: tall hybrid tea with coppery orange flowers with yellow tones.
Loving Memory: large hybrid tea with deep red flowers.
Lest We Forget: small floribunda that covers itself in masses of vibrant red flowers.
A special love in your life -
My Girl: large hybrid tea with pink blooms with a hint of lavender on a small-growing bush.
Best Friend: very fragrant hybrid tea with perfect pink blooms.
Dear One: a medium-sized floribunda with masses of soft pale pink blooms.
Lasting Love: hybrid tea with a strong fragrance and dusky red blooms.
Remember to order roses now for delivery and bare-root planting in late winter. Alternatively, look out for containerised roses to plant all through the year. All of these roses can be seen in the Rose Garden in the lower botanic garden.
•Linda Hellyer is curator of the Rose Garden at the Dunedin Botanic Garden.
