Concept
The concept for the Mornington Rose Gardens was the brainchild of a local businessman Don Gordon who was inspired by the rose garden in Benalla that was situated next to the art gallery. The land was allocated for this purpose by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council after much lobbying by Don.
Design
The inspiration for the design was our location in Mornington and its yachting history and was designed by Barry Johnston a well-known landscaper and authority on roses. The design is based on a racing yacht spinnaker and from the viewing platform this is easily discernable when the roses have been pruned in winter. The roses for the garden were donated by Treloar Roses of Portland, Victoria, and all the fertilizers used are donated by Neutrog.
Opening
Mornington Botanical Rose Gardens was officially opened by the well-known gardener and radio and television personality Jane Edmanson in November 2008.
Don’s legacy
Don is remembered by the dedication of the information centre in the garden as the Don Gordon Garden Room. The first sod was turned by Councillor Anne Shaw on a freezing day in June 2004. The rose garden was built by volunteers during one of the longest droughts in Australia and has been linked up to recycled water. The Don Gordon Garden Room and information centre was opened in November 2013 by Don Gordon’s grandson William Gordon.
Heritage Garden
A heritage garden has been developed around the garden room with a reflective pond and seats surrounded by heritage roses, a tranquil place to come sit and reflect. These roses have been sourced from the David Rusden collection.
Archive Photos
The site before the transformation into Mornington Botanical Rose Gardens, showing the land in its initial state.
