Founder of modern garden centres receives anniversary rose

June 15, 2011
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Founder of modern garden centres receives golden anniversary rose

The man who founded New Zealand’s first garden centre, half a century ago, has been honoured with the presentation of a special limited edition “gold” rose.

The Palmers Gold Rose is an exclusive new release rose specially commissioned to celebrate the 50th Golden Anniversary of the founding of New Zealand’s favourite garden centre chain.

While it is hard to imagine now, before Stanley Palmer transformed the Palmers Nursery in Glen Eden into the first Palmers Garden Centre 50 years ago, there were no retail garden centres as we know them today.

Perhaps not surprisingly, as Stanley Palmer recalls, the idea proved an instant success.

“When we first opened,” he recalls, “there were queues across all five of our tills.

“There were also three attempts by burglars to blow their way into our shop safe!"

He also recalls that the store was only allowed to be open until noon on Saturday and not at all on Sunday.

That original Palmers Garden Centre in Great North Road is still operating and is now one of 17 Palmers Garden Centres strategically located throughout the North Island, from Whangarei to Wellington.

Current Glen Eden Palmers owner operator Mark Mesarich proudly presented the new limited release Palmers Gold Rose to Stanley Palmer in the original west Auckland store.

Stanley Palmer, who is also the author of numerous gardening books, including the popular, award-winning, Palmers Garden Manual, says he was delighted by the rose, a compact floribunda with fragrant soft golden blooms.

He also clearly enjoyed being back in the store where it all started.

“I just wish I was back on the team again,” he joked.

The new Palmers Gold Rose has already proved extremely popular with 1600 Palmers Garden Club members entering a competition to win one of just 10 roses.

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