The Rose Queen
Jan Barnett
As a child I was fascinated with roses! Every Sunday when visiting my grandparent’s rambling, romantic, country garden with its fish pond and every type of flower and vegetable imaginable, the plants I was most drawn to were roses. I’d wander from bush to bush, taking in the exquisite scents and examining each beautiful bloom carefully so as to pick the best to take home. My favourites were *Poppa’s large exhibition roses, their numerous rows of perfectly placed petals opening as if to reveal a secret – would Thumbelina be sleeping in the centre?
Roses have me hooked! I have spent many years filling my own garden with fragrant, elegant, perfectly formed and award winning roses. This adoration has led me to become an Exhibitor and New Zealand National Rose Judge. What a thrill to sit on a panel of judges and determine a single rose from hundreds entered and crown it Champion of Champions.
The greatest thrill yet is the launch of our new venture, Amore Roses. It’s a leap of faith and a plunge into the unknown! However, I am surrounded by supportive rosarian friends as well as sharing my passion with my girls. This makes the project a truly exhilarating adventure.
I’m excited to be introducing a new rose variety, the Bambina Rose, into New Zealand. The Bambina Rose is perfect for small gardens and limited space. The plants are small, the blooms large and …“no spray” – how great is that.
My profession allows me to be surrounded by colour, perfume and magical blooms so it is easy to inspire and help people with their own garden planning.
As a child I was fascinated with roses! Every Sunday when visiting my grandparent’s rambling, romantic, country garden with its fish pond and every type of flower and vegetable imaginable, the plants I was most drawn to were roses. I’d wander from bush to bush, taking in the exquisite scents and examining each beautiful bloom carefully so as to pick the best to take home. My favourites were *Poppa’s large exhibition roses, their numerous rows of perfectly placed petals opening as if to reveal a secret – would Thumbelina be sleeping in the centre?
Roses have me hooked! I have spent many years filling my own garden with fragrant, elegant, perfectly formed and award winning roses. This adoration has led me to become an Exhibitor and New Zealand National Rose Judge. What a thrill to sit on a panel of judges and determine a single rose from hundreds entered and crown it Champion of Champions.
The greatest thrill yet is the launch of our new venture, Amore Roses. It’s a leap of faith and a plunge into the unknown! However, I am surrounded by supportive rosarian friends as well as sharing my passion with my girls. This makes the project a truly exhilarating adventure.
I’m excited to be introducing a new rose variety, the Bambina Rose, into New Zealand. The Bambina Rose is perfect for small gardens and limited space. The plants are small, the blooms large and …“no spray” – how great is that.
My profession allows me to be surrounded by colour, perfume and magical blooms so it is easy to inspire and help people with their own garden planning.
