Hastings heritage rose enthusiast Georgina Campbell had been searching for the floribunda rose Rosa "Mary Sumner" for her collection of roses bred by international rose breeders, McGredys.
Her request on the garden's website about the rose led its rose garden curator Linda Hellyer to search its rose database. She found five "Mary Sumner" bushes listed.
"Mary Sumner" was bred in 1976 by Sam McGredy IV, who came to live in New Zealand in 1972.
Garden information officer, Clare Fraser, said Mrs Campbell had searched the country for the rose, which was no longer commercially available. As the garden aimed to inspire home gardeners, it was unusual for it to have a rose not commercially available.
Ms Hellyer said the rose had always been very healthy, so had remained in the garden.
She planned to send cuttings from the plants to Mrs Campbell in the hope they would be grown into new bushes.
"We'll know in a couple of months time if they have been successful."
