Dugald MacKenzie Rose Garden

Located opposite Harringtons Motor Lodge in the Victoria Esplanade Gardens, alongside the Manawatu River Walkways.

From October to April the The Dugald MacKenzie Rose Garden brims with colour and fragrance with over 5,000 plants and 100 rose varieties. Recognised as one of the world’s top five rose gardens in 2003 by the World Federation of Rose Societies and is home to New Zealand’s National Rose Trial Gardens and the Plant Variety Rights Trial Beds. The purpose of these grounds are to test new roses and to determine their suitability for the New Zealand climate.

The formally designed garden consists of 96 rose beds, bordered by camellias and a variety of mature trees. During the summer months the array of colours is a spectacular sight, and a popular spot for picnics, sightseers and as a venue for weddings and photographs.