The Nursery and Gardens

The Tasman Bay Roses nursery and gardens are situated in Nelson Province not far from the town of Motueka and the city of Nelson at the top of the South Island of New Zealand. The region is famous for its scenic beauty and excellent climate. District attractions include spectacular mountain ranges and remote wilderness areas where rare and interesting flora and fauna abound. Some of New Zealand's finest national parks and walking tracks can be found here: Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park and the Nelson Lakes National Park - all within easy distance of the sparkling waters of Tasman Bay.

The Motueka River, teeming with trout and a favourite with fishermen, runs within sight of the farm and its ample flow, supplying underground aquifers, provides water for irrigation of the nursery and gardens at all times.

The Nursery

The nursery was started in 1966 producing plants for the wholesale market. In time this led to the establishment of a mail order business and garden centre. The property comprises 22.7 hectares of fertile river loam which was previously in cultivation as a hop garden and mixed cropping and stock unit. The garden centre is focused on the original farm buildings, and the hop kiln, which is a listed building, dates back to the nineteenth century. Five hectares of land are always in rose production with nurseries planted in eight-year rotation.

Each year roses are imported from overseas sources so that gardeners in New Zealand may have the opportunity of obtaining the classic roses from the great collections of the northern hemisphere. Tasman Bay Roses is also contracted to grow the latest releases from leading international rose breeders.

Attention to detail and skilled hand work by the team at Tasman Bay Roses ensures that the roses offered for sale are of the highest standard. Large healthy 2 year budded plants have given the nursery its reputation for quality. Herbicides are not used near roses. There is no contamination of stock by harmful chemicals. Cultural intstructions sent out with orders encourage gardeners to adopt safe methods of weed control.