COWRA ROSE GARDEN…
The Cowra Rose Garden contains approximately 880 bushes of 130 varieties including a bed of the beautiful Cowra Rose. The garden was recommended by Ben Swane of Swane’s Nursery in 1987. He proposed landscaping the then new Visitor Information Centre as a Rose Garden tourist attraction for Cowra and the district.
Work commenced on the Cowra Rose Garden in April 1988 and the first of 1,000 roses was planted in June of that year by Shire President, Cyril Treasure. The establishment of the garden was supervised by experienced rose grower Bob Marshall who was working for the Cowra Japanese Garden at the time. The first rose to flower was “Greg Chappell” in October 1988. The garden was officially opened on 12 November 1988 by Cr Cyril Treasure.
Cowra Shire Council funded the garden and assumed total responsibility for it in 1991. A major restoration in 2001 involved the total reorganization of the garden, the replenishment of soil and the planting of around 550 new roses. Most of these new roses were supplied by Treloar Roses.
The Cowra Rose is located in the North West corner of the garden. It is the result of an initiative by Cowra Shire Council, the Calleen trust and Ben Swane in 1998 to celebrate Cowra’s Sesquicentenary – marking the 150th anniversary of the official gazetting of the town of Cowra.
The Cowra Rose Garden is at its best between late October and May, but also features beautiful annuals during the winter months. The roses are pruned around the second or third week of July each year.
Please ask the friendly team at the Cowra Visitor Information Centre for a brochure of the garden.
Admission:
The rose garden is accessible at all hours at no cost.
Address: Corner of Mid Western Highway, Young Road and Boorowa Road, Cowra
Phone: 02 6342 4333
Email: info@cowratourism.com.au
