Everything's coming up roses

CHECKING UP: Gary Caffell (left) oversees the installation of galvanised mesh on the rose arbour at Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton, on Tuesday.

A rosy future awaits roses planted alongside the arbour at Masterton's Queen Elizabeth Park now they have mesh to climb on.

For eight years the roses have struggled to put on a show because there has been no mesh for them to cling to but this week that was put right at a cost to ratepayers of $11,000.

The money allocated by the Masterton District Council has allowed for the installation of galvanised mesh to replace wires strung between the arbour arms and that failed to help the roses grow.

Chairman of the council's Parks and Open Spaces Task Group Gary Caffell said the rose arbour had been a "constant source of animated discussion" around the council table for years because of the failure of the roses to cover them.

"We were often told to give them time but in the end time ran out."

In the last few months advice had been sought from experts on what could be done to rectify the situation, he said.

"The consensus was to install galvanised mesh which would be a major help by giving the roses something to cling to.

"We are really optimistic this will work but there is always the possibility we will need to look at a different variety of rose, or other climbers, to get the best effect," Mr Caffell said.

The rose arbour had a rocky introduction to the park from the outset as in August 2006 the then-mayor Bob Francis confessed the newly built arbour with its accompanying plantings was not what had been expected.

A breakdown in communication between the council and landscaping consulting firm Boffa Miskell had resulted in the structure being built with girders too close together and sporting bright galvanised steel instead of a shade of green.

His comments, made at a policy and finance committee meeting, were responded to by Councillor Jane Terpstra, who headed the park development committee.

Mrs Terpstra said criticism was premature.

"It's like saying you don't like the walls of the house before they are properly up.

"The roses, which we have chosen to grow over the arbour, are aggressive growers and will cover the structure quickly.

"It's not about instant gratification. I promise you it will look beautiful. Just you wait and see," she said.