STATE ROSE GARDEN, VICTORIA

In 1976 the State of Victoria in Australia became known as the "Garden State". It was suggested then that our state should be the perfect site for a public Rose Garden, given also that our climate was favourable. In 1980 approval was given. In 1986 the garden was finally opened. In 1993 after a public appeal, the supporters group was formed to help maintain the garden even though the Garden is part of Parks Victoria. All of the work pertaining to the Roses is done by Volunteers.

This is the largest Public Rose Garden in Australia and the only non-European garden to receive a Garden Of Excellence Award from the World Federation of Rose Societies. The Garden is spread over 4.75 hectares and contains 6000 rose bushes of all types. 120 Volunteers work on average 7000 hrs per year to keep the roses blooming for the visitors' enjoyment.

The roses are grouped into 4 sections. The earliest, opened in 1986, is in the shape of a Tudor rose with 5 petals. It contains 252 different roses from all over the world. The Australian Federation Leaf contains 60 different Australian bred roses introduced in the 19th century. It was opened in 2000. The Heritage border, along two sides of the garden, contains 250 types of old and species roses. It was opened in 2000. The David Austin Bud, opened in 2001, contains 48 roses from this British rose breeder.

Last Sunday we had some glorious Spring weather and we decided to visit the Rose Garden as the roses are at their best now. The photos below are proof enough that our visit was most enjoyable!


This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.

BRISBANE RIVER SUNRISE

“We can only appreciate the miracle of a sunrise if we have waited in the darkness”

This post is part of the Water World Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Outdoor Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Nature Footsteps Waters meme.

ROSE GARDEN

This post is part of the Ruby Tuesday meme.

I beg your pardon,I never promised you a rose garden. Along with the sunshine, There's gotta be a little rain sometimes. When you take, you gotta give, so live and let live, Or let go. I beg your pardon,I never promised you a rose garden. I could promise you things like big diamond rings, But you don't find roses growin' on stalks of clover. So you better think it over. Well, if sweet-talkin' you could make it come true, I would give you the world right now on a silver platter, But what would it matter? So smile for a while and let's be jolly: Love shouldn't be so melancholy. Come along and share the good times while we can. I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden. Along with the sunshine, There's gotta be a little rain sometimes.

PERTH SHOPPING

Perth has many world class shopping centres throughout the metropolitian area. The shopping centres are fully air-conditioned, have plenty of parking, facilities for infants, the elderly and disabled, as well as a wide variety of shops. All of the shopping centres can be accessed via either buses or trains that stop very close by, which makes them very convenient.

This is one of the central malls in Perth City. The "colour" signs are telling us that bright colours are going to be fashionable this summer (I think...). I couldn't resist taking photos of the or*nge and y*llow signs... Don't ask me why the asterisks are there instead of letters - marketing people have strange brains!

This post is part of the Mandarin Orange Monday meme,
and also part of the Mellow Yellow Monday meme.

HELLO

Playing with my shadow, by the water...

This post is for the Shadow Shot Sunday meme.

PINK SPRING FLOWERS

The weather is on the mend and the Spring flowers are back!

This post is part of the Pink Saturday meme.

SPRING SHOWERS

Melbourne Spring is often accompanied by rainy days. The view here is fomr the Capital City Trail close to the City. As they say:

"Spring showers,
bring forth fragrant flowers"!

There is always something to do in Melbourne, even on rainy days. Here is a list of Rainy Day activities.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

OSTEOSPERMUM 'FLOWERPOWER DOUBLE'

Osteospermum, whose scientific name is derived from the Greek osteon (bone) sperma (seed). It has been given several common names: African Daisy, South African Daisy, Cape Daisy and Blue-eyed Daisy.There are about 50 species, native to Africa, 35 species in southern Africa, and southwestern Arabia. They are half-hardy perennials or subshrubs. Therefore they do not survive outdoor wintry conditions, but there is still a wide range of hardiness.

These are new varieties called "Flowerpower Double", which are quite unusual and are currently gracing our garden. The colours are also unusual and the last photo shows the typical single and more familiar version of Osteospermum. The reverse brownish colour of the petals is unexpected and pretty.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.

AITKEN HILL PASTORAL

At Aitken Hill, about 40 minutes drive out of Melbourne City, a touch of the country, not too far from the City.

This post is part of the Things in a Row meme.