The Christchurch Garden City Rose is one of two roses that have been developed as fund-raising opportunities for Christchurch. Profits raised from its sale will go to the Mayor’s Welfare Fund, a charity aimed at assisting families in need within Christchurch.

The other is the Vicki Buck Rose and money raised from its sale will go towards the Computers for Children in Schools project.

The new roses will be unveiled at 1pm in the City Mall on Monday 25 March by Christchurch City Deputy Mayor Lesley Keast.

The first 2000 Christchurch Garden City roses will go on sale in November this year. A further 1000 will go on sale in November 2003, around the same time that the first 3000 Vicki Buck roses will be available. Order forms will be available at the unveiling for those interested in pre-ordering roses, which will cost $24.95 each.

The fund raising initiative is a joint venture between the Canterbury Development Corporation Ltd (CDC) and the Christchurch City Council. One of New Zealand’s leading Rosarians and hybridiser of roses, Nola Simpson, began developing the two rose hybrids in 1999.

CDC projects manager Leonie Foster says the new roses will allow gardening enthusiasts to own something special and representative of the city.