Roses on full display at Townsville Show

Roses are red, and purple, and yellow, and every other colour of the rainbow in Townsville City Council’s rose display at this year’s Townsville Show.

Naomi Shoobridge is the team leader at Queens Gardens and has worked with her team to create Council’s first rose display for the show, which sits close by to the roses in competition.

The city’s largest public rose garden at Queens Gardens features about 20 varieties of roses, including blooms named for Queen Elizabeth and Pope John Paul II.

“The display is a good opportunity for us to showcase what we have here at Queens Gardens and to let the general public know that we’re here and these plants are here and growing well,” she said.

“We’ve had roses in this park since 1893 so the roses have been a big part of Queens Gardens for a very long time. Some of the plants could be up to 20 years old, like the Mr Lincoln (roses).

“A lot of people don’t realise that you can grow roses up here in the tropics. They do quite well up here.”

Ms Shoobridge said caring for the roses was “labour intensive” with a weekly routine of removing dead flowers, topping up mulch and spraying the plants down, but it was worth the effort.

“The general public just absolutely loves them, they come in and admire them every day, especially now that we have our winter growth and they’re at their best. It’s a real drawcard for Queens Gardens and the city,” she said.

“We want to show people what we’ve got growing here, and that we can grow roses in the tropics, and the dedication that Townsville City Council has to making sure we’ve got the best of everything to keep these roses growing to the best of their ability.

“The public just come and ask questions, they love them, and why wouldn’t you? You can smell them as soon as you get through the gate and they’re good to look at.

“We’re still learning, there’s a lot to learn, but I’m very fortunate to have some of the best rose growers in Townsville who come here and answer our questions. There’s one man, Ross Horner, who has been helping us right through.

“I’d encourage everybody in Townsville to visit Queens Gardens and have a look for themselves. I think it makes everybody happy when they come here, the roses put smiles on everyone’s faces. They’re just a joy to be around.”

The Townsville Show runs until 1 July at the Townsville Showgrounds.

Queens Gardens is open from sunrise to sunset seven days a week and is free to visit.

For more information about visiting Queens Gardens, visit Council’s Botanic Gardens page.