Roses are red, violets are blue, this year marks the Bay of Plenty Rose Society’s 60th anniversary, and members welcome you to join them too!

The society celebrated the milestone in early November with the annual Spring Rose Show at Wesley Methodist Church Hall.

Life member of the Bay of Plenty Rose Society Laurie Jeyes has worn many hats during his years involved with the society.

He was president of the society and show manager, before taking a back seat with his current role as patron.

Jeyes joined the Bay of Plenty Rose Society in 1986 when he moved to Tauranga. Previously, he was vice-president of the Auckland Rose Society, and his membership with the National Rose Society dated back to the 1970s.

But now most of the original members are gone, Jeyes said.

A wild cherry rose bred by Rob Somerville, who is based in Te Puna. Photo / David Hall

“Memberships have been hard to maintain with special interest societies. With the advent of the internet, people get a lot of their information from the internet these days.

“Whereas if you were keen on some particular thing, you used to join a society relating to it.”

Jeyes said membership in the Bay of Plenty Rose Society is starting to grow again, and current members are trying to foster interest within the next generation.

“We have encouraged schoolchildren to come along and learn about roses.”

That was how Jeyes first became interested in roses. As a young boy, he was interested in plants and horticulture – especially roses.

“Although my occupational endeavours were on the technical side of things, my main focus in life was always horticultural pursuits.”

His favourite rose changes from year to year. He said they are a wide-ranging group, including climbing roses, miniature and patio roses, hybrid teas, floribundas and heritage varieties.

A Saint Mary's rose bred by Rob Somerville in Te Puna. Photo / David Hall

“I prefer what we call hybrid tea roses, but I grow floribundas – they carry a number of blooms to each stem of rose rather than a rose with just one flower on it. They’re very good for a garden display.”

He reminisced about his favourite memories as a member of the Bay of Plenty Rose Society.

The Rose Society of New Zealand holds an annual national show, for which regional societies share hosting responsibilities. Tauranga hosted the show a couple of times during Jeyes’ time.

He said the shows are “great fun”, lasting multiple days and attracting exhibitors from all over the country.

Jeyes said the 60-year milestone is a testament to the resilience of interest in roses. Although the society doesn’t have a huge membership, “there are people out there that are interested”.

“There’s been a lot of dedicated members over the years who have kept the society going.”

To find out more, or contact the society via its Facebook page, Bay of Plenty Rose Society.