In Central Otago, these hardy plants often outlast the buildings and people who first planted them, offering a unique way to connect with the region’s history.
Introduced by early settlers in the 19th century, heritage roses were among the few treasured plants brought from overseas.
They were planted next to cottages, miners’ huts and homesteads — sometimes as symbols of home, sometimes to mark graves, and sometimes simply for their beauty.
While many of those sites have long since disappeared, the roses have endured.
The relationship between plants, people, and place is at the heart of the upcoming Heritage Talk, Preserving our History — One Rose at a Time, hosted by the Central Otago Heritage Trust at the Clyde Museum on Wednesday June 4 at 6.30pm.
The guest speaker is Murray Radka, a leading rosarian.
He has spent many years travelling across the country, tracing the origins of heritage roses and recording their stories.
His work highlights the value of these plants as historical markers.
In his talk, Mr Radka will explain how roses can help us understand settlement patterns, cultural connections and even personal stories from New Zealand’s early communities.
"Every old rose has a story.
"When we find them today, we’re uncovering a part of our history that’s both fragile and incredibly resilient.
"It’s all about the connection with people of the past."
Mr Radka will also speak about efforts to preserve rare varieties before they are lost.
The talk is open to everyone, from gardeners to history buffs.
Booking is essential. Visit www.heritagecentralotago.org.nz/events to register.
Entry is by koha-donation with proceeds going to Clyde Museum.
