Our diverse family business was first established in 1947 by Tom and Pearl Matthews. Their son Bob and his wife Cath (pictured above) took over the rose growing business in 1978 and ever since they have been growing healthy and happy roses! Now their children have become the third generation to produce quality plants on our farm. Alongside our dedicated team, Samantha manages the nursery operations and brother Thomas agricultural contracting and arable cropping.
We are delighted to supply our quality roses direct to you through our website and to selected garden centres nationwide.
Matthews Roses range of varieties are selected not only for their beautiful flowers and fragrance, but for their hardiness, health and easiness to grow in New Zealand conditions. Every plant we produce has been grown with care for over 2 years on the nursery. With generations of rose growing experience, you can trust a Matthews Rose to perform in your garden.
For over 20 years we have been commited to a spray free environment for our trial area in conjunction with an extensive testing process. This ensures that only the healthiest, best performing varieties are introduced.
For over 20 years we have been commited to a spray free environment for our trial area in conjunction with an extensive testing process. This ensures that only the healthiest, best performing varieties are introduced.
Matthews Nurseries Ltd act as agents for the world’s top rose breeders, giving us an unique opportunity to trial and release the best new & exclusive varieties from around the globe to New Zealand. We also create our own rose varieties with the award winning Bob Matthews breeding programme - home to the easy care 'My Rose Collection' developed from our most popular creation for New Zealand gardeners 'My Mum'.
For over 20 years we have been commited to a spray free environment for our trial area in conjunction with an extensive testing process. This ensures that only the healthiest, best performing varieties are introduced. Many of Bob’s own creations have won awards in trial gardens both in New Zealand and overseas, including multiple Gold Star of the South Pacific awards and a prestigious Silver Certificate at The Hague International Rose Trials in 2018. Check out our full list of awards and achievements listed at the bottom of this page.
We also grow a selected range of Lilacs (Syringa) and Crabapple (Malus) trees, available from our selected garden centre stockists. All the Crabapple varieties we grow were bred by Tom Matthews. His wonderful varieties created at our nursery include kiwi favourites 'Jelly King' (Mattfru) and the unique weeping variety 'Ellerslie' (Mattweep).
As well as Bob's own breeding programme, we are extremely proud to release the best new garden roses from internationally renowned rose breeders to New Zealand. The extensive process of importing, quarantine testing, spray free trials and assessment for NZ growing conditions takes many years, ensuring that only the healthiest, best performing varieties are introduced. As the saying goes - good things take time! We represent rose breeders from all over the world including Kordes Rosen (Germany), Pierre Orard (France), Harkness Roses (England), Weeks Roses (USA) and Dickson Roses (Northern Ireland) to name a few.
Many Matthews Roses introductions have gone on to win awards both in New Zealand and overseas, including some gorgeous varieties bred by Bob Matthews which have won coveted Gold Star of the South Pacific awards and even a prestigious Silver Certificate at The Hague International Rose Trials in The Netherlands (for the climbing rose 'Cupcake')
On our nursery in Whanganui we also grow 1.8m Weeping Standard and Cascading Pillar Roses - available only from selected NZ garden centre stockists as they are too large to courier direct. We continue to grow a specialist range of Crabapple (Malus) and Lilac (Syringa) trees - available online during winter and from selected NZ garden centre stockists. A true seasonal delight all the Crabapples we grow hold a special place in our hearts as they were all bred right here in Whanganui by Bob's late father Tom Matthews.
