11 March 2009 Ellerslie Show offers first public opportunity to order 'Ivey Hall' Rose

The timeless beauty of the rose is working its magic with friends and alumni of Lincoln University and now members of the public attending the Ellerslie Flower Show can share the enjoyment.

Orders for the specially named "Ivey Hall" Rose are now open to the public for the first time, and may be placed at the City Care Hort Galore Marquee at the Ellerslie Flower Show.

Ivey Hall is Lincoln University's iconic original building, dating from 1878 and named after the first director of the University, William Edward Ivey 1838-1892.

The rose, a brilliant golden yellow floribunda excels in all weather and is excellent for bedding and mass planting or as a pride-of-place plant.

Lincoln University alumni have supported the rose project enthusiastically and given it their endorsement. They include - Life Member and Past President of the NZ Nursery and Garden Association Athol Mccully, who says it is a "superb yellow rose which will brighten up any garden"; the President of the International Federation of Landscape Architects and NZ Environment Court Commissioner, Dr Diane Menzies, who says the rose is a "glowing yellow which reminds me of the golden opportunities Lincoln University provides"; awards-winning Christchurch designer, media columnist and national public relations manager for Landscaping New Zealand, the national landscaping association, Dr Erik Ellis, who says the rose has a "beautiful shape and flower and would suit any garden"; and Lincoln University's first horticulture graduate, Robin Pengelly, a committee member of the Morwell Centenary Rose Garden, Victoria, Australia, who says "Yellow roses are scarce, so 'Ivey Hall' is a welcome addition".

The rose has even been brought to the attention of royal florist Fred Wilkinson, responsible for floral decorations at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. Fred studied horticulture at Lincoln in the mid-1950s.

"Ivey Hall" is a well-bred rose originally developed in the United Kingdom by respected rose grower Gareth Fryer, of Fryer's Nurseries, Knutsford, Cheshire. It was introduced in the UK by Fryer's in 2006 under the name "Golden Smiles". Rated very highly by the breeder and well received by customers, it was awarded a Gold Standard in an independent UK rose trial.

Rose breeder Bob Matthews of Wanganui has rights to it in New Zealand.

Lincoln University Alumni Association has already provided plants for the Rose Garden in Timaru, where alumnus Bill Steans is the Parks & Recreation Manager, and a number have also been planted in a display bed around Lincoln University's Memorial Hall.

The "Ivey Hall" Rose project has been led by Alumni Association Manager Sarah Currie, who is a passionate gardener. Sarah had the opportunity to visit Fryer's Nursery in Cheshire last year and met breeder Gareth Fryer.

"He was very enthusiastic about the idea of having one of his roses associated with Lincoln University," she says.

"He has visited New Zealand and has connections with Bob Matthews."

At the Ellerslie Flower Show in Christchurch the rose is on display in the City Care HortGalore Marquee. Purchases of the rose cannot be made at the Show, but orders can be
placed there. You can also make an order by contacting Sarah Currie, Manager, Lincoln University Alumni Association, PO Box 15, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, Canterbury;
telephone (03) 3252811 ext 8722; email: sarah.currie@lincoln.ac.nz.