The rose has always been valued for its beauty and has a long history of symbolism.  Today there are thousands of varieties of roses developed for bloom shape, size and fragrance.

A new rose is about to be launched in New Zealand dedicated to one of the country’s pioneers in the growing of this beautiful flower. It will be named Janice Wallis, who in the nineties, was the Heritage Roses Central Otago convenor.

She was the mother of Sir Tim Wallis, a pioneer of the live deer recovery industry in New Zealand’s South Island and founder of the Alpine Fighter collection and the New Zealand Fighter Pilots’ Museum. He also started the International Warbirds over Wanaka Airshow.

“I think it is an honour to have a rose named after my mother. She will be remembered forever,” said Sir Tim.

Janice Wallis was a dedicated rose grower, and in the 1980s she planted 250 heritage and modern roses in the grounds of Wanaka Airport. All were dedicated to the memory of her brother, Neil Blunden, a bomber pilot who was shot down and died while on a bombing mission to destroy the German battleship, Tirpitz, over the Asen Fiord in Norway in 1942.

“She was so proud of her brother and her association with the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum along with Warbirds Over Wanaka” said Sir Tim.

Now the Janice Wallis rose is to be launched at this year’s Warbirds over Wanaka Airshow (April 2-4) and a percentage of the money raised from sales will go towards the Upper Clutha Branch of the RSA.  Ralph Fegan, Wanaka Airport Operations Manager, is working on the design of a Memorial Garden, featuring the Janice Wallis rose, to be established adjacent to the Warbirds Over Wanaka office, to commemorate pilots who have passed away and who had associations with Wanaka Airport.

The special rose has been developed by Southern Roses in Southland.  They are the only nursery in the country that grows roses on seedlings in the European way and orders will be taken at the Airshow.

Tickets at www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com or 0800 224 224.

ENDS