Rumsey Rose Garden Parramatta Park.

Recently I visited the Rumsey Rose Garden in Parramatta Park and was very disappointed with the care of these
plants. Unfortunatly quite a few have died and all that remains is the signage or an open space.
The council cuts the grass regularly but a lot of plants were struggling in our 35 to 40C heat and lack of water. The best performers were the Tea's that were blooming well. The roses consisted mainly of species and old garden roses so to see it at it's best October to November would be an ideal times to visit.

The Roy and Heather Rumsey nursery was situated in Glenorie very close to me. They had numerous open days for the Heritage Rose Society and helped agricultural students from Hawkesbury Agricultural College. Heather was instrumental in importing some of the roses that are common here today. You will find numerous references to them in Australian books such as the Tea Ladies Tea Book.
Unfortunatly Roy's health went down hill when he was diagnosed with cancer. When I spoke to him he said " If I could turn the clock back then I would never have used sprays".

With a little more care this garden could be one of the best rose gardens as it has been very well planned and situated on a very level site.

Definately worth a visit next October November.

When I went Bruce it looKed pretty good and I was a bit late. But your right, this garden should be cherished as it is a great spot for tourist and people living in Parramatta.

I will make sure I visit the garden in late October as I have always wanted to see it!

Bruce, I like how you included the bit about Mr Rumsey saying he wished he hadn't used sprays! So often we hear of this now. I suppose the message is if one does decide to spray (& I have no judgement on this at all) then be very, very careful!

My great uncle, who started the Cowra Rose Garden, is very sick now and says its from the sprays he's used over the years.

it's a worry... I teach chemistry and I worry what the exposure to all those chemicals has done to me over the last 20 years too... don't spray even roundup here now... I want to live long enough to see my seedlings at least flower...

Ripley, it sounds like rose growing is in your blood ?
What you were all saying about the spraying. My elderly neighbour told me the other day that he had seen some Deadly Nightshade, Bathurst Bur and some other weed up in the corner of our back paddock. He said he had sprayed them in his paddock. I said our stock were down the front paddock anyway, and I didn't want my partner spraying because of his health. He then said it was only a small patch and I said we would have a look. We haven't yet. Might get up there real soon, see if I can just chip it out or mow it.

I have a neighbour 2 properties away that sprays hydroponic tomatoes.
Have told him to be careful but he replies saying, " I feel fine so the sprays are not effecting me"
Our district has lost a number of growers to cancer over the past 30 odd years I have been here.

What people don't know is sprays damage your immune system and that's
where your troubles start.

I am so pleased my comment has warned others.

Bruce, thanks for telling us what the sprays do our immune system.
Ray boom sprayed for Patterson Curse a few years, because I thought we were surpose too, and it didn't seem to have hardly any effect on it. It didn't do Ray much good though at the time.
The same with the Blackberries. Knocking it down with the tractor had more effect I think.

Karen... I hope Ray is doing well now. Regarding the blackberry... would you like my goats

Karen, goats are very good at feeding on Scotch Thistle flowers to prevent regrowth. Sorry I don't have a solution for neighbours thistles blowing in like a snow storm. Goats even eat the thistles in difficult places like dam walls etc.

Ask Simon if the gift goats are free to Gulgong and accept his offer.

Dam is a word you will often here around here in reference to the goats... they are lousy grazers... they are more pickers... and they pick from the fence line in towards the middle so around here they spend most their time up on the fences, bending them in the process, reaching for the plants in the garden. Never again will I have goats!

Awww, go on Simon! All you need is a nice little wire low down on the fence that is attached to an electric fence unit. I promise you the goats will be very respectful of your fence after the first "nip".

Yeah... a hot wire is what I need... I need it high though... they jump up on the fence and squash it flat to get to the roses, raspberries, and buddleja. Will have to look into this...

Simon place the wire on outriggers so it is far away enough from the fence top so it would be the first thing they touch.