That's why Heritage Roses Otago (HRO) and the Dunedin City Council are waiting until December 7-8 to celebrate the return of heritage roses to the Dunedin Northern Cemetery.
''That's when most of the replacement roses will flower for the first time,'' HRO convener Fran Rawling said.
Disaster struck in late 2016 when more than 500 roses, including many memorial roses planted by family members of those buried at the cemetery in the 1800s, were sprayed with herbicide, she said.
''Numerous memorial and very rare roses were lost.
''The damage upset many people, particularly HRO members.''
Mrs Rawling said Dunedin's 1870s Northern Cemetery was the southern hemisphere's best example of a Victorian garden cemetery, and the combination of planting, masonry and ironwork showcased the grand vision of the early settlers.
In 2009, the World Federation of Rose Societies' Heritage Roses Group recognised the work of HRO and the roses in the cemetery as a collection of international significance.
At its peak in 2016, there were more than 1200 heritage roses at the cemetery, including a precious national collection of Scots roses (R pimpinellifolias).
It was not until 2018, the DCC cleared the soil for replanting.
The council agreed to cover replacement costs and make an annual grant for ongoing care of the roses, she said.
Strict conditions on weed-spraying in cemeteries was also introduced, ensuring all plantings are protected.
Replanting began in 2018 and HRO members continue to hold monthly working bees, ensuring the care of the collection.
The December celebration would coincide with the first flowering of many of the new roses, she said.
''We hope this will also raise awareness of the work of organisation members restoring the Northern Cemetery to its original garden status, thus illustrating the unique nature of this Dunedin treasure.''
