Latest news with #RosesinBloom
Hamilton Spectator
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Flavours in Bloom Amid the Roses at RBG's Al Fresco Dinner
On June 27, the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) hosted their second Dining Al Fresco event of the year, marking the first of two in their Rose Garden, situated in Hendrie Park. The Dining Al Fresco events comprise a dinner, music, and wine or non-alcoholic alternatives. Each installment is held in a different garden, with the main blooms guiding the dishes included in the menu. The June 27 event was titled 'Roses in Bloom,' and the titular flower was featured in some capacity throughout most of the meal, as well as surrounding the outdoor canopy that the event was hosted in. Brookelyn Archer, an event planner for the RBG, spoke about the genesis of the event. 'It originated with trying to highlight some of our peak blooms and the collections that we have here at RBG, and showcase what's in bloom seasonally in a different capacity than us just telling people to come and look at the flowers,' Archer said. 'There are quite a few people who enjoy just walking through a garden,' she continued. 'But there are quite a few people who think that that's not for them. So how do we get them to the gardens? We create these experiences that might cater to different interests.' Archer said that each location is chosen when its flowers are in peak bloom. The evening included four courses, as well as an amuse bouche and a 'Garden Interlude.' The menu was prepared by Dave Favretto, the RBG's chef. 'The menu is first designed by our events team,' Archer said. 'We give our house culinary team a concept, theme, and a design, and then they take that design and curate the four-course meal with wine pairings and non-alcoholic pairings as well.' According to Archer, the Roses in Bloom theme was 'Tuscan Sunset' and was heavily inspired by Italian cuisine. Before each course was served, Favretto would describe the dish to attendees and talk about his inspiration for the combination and ingredients. Each course was also accompanied by a wine chosen for how well it paired with its respective dish. A sommelier introduced each drink, explaining where the wine was from, and what flavours and smells to look for when sipping. The live music was provided by a saxophonist who accompanied guests in the garden and later in the dining area. Archer said that the events act as a way to see the Gardens in a rare setting. 'It's a chance to see the garden when it's not as busy during those peak bloom times,' Archer said. 'We tend to get so busy that parking is hard to find, and there are just people everywhere. So this experience allows everyone to kind of slow down and really look at the gardens. It's a lot more peaceful.' A 20-minute break was also given after the Garden Interlude so that attendees had a second chance to look around. The capacity for the event was 100 people, twice the amount from the first dinner last year. RBG members receive the first access to tickets to all dining events, and Archer said that they are usually gone during this presale, due to the limited capacity. For those who miss out, a waitlist is also available. Due to the demand for the Rose Garden dinner, a second sitting has been scheduled for July 18. Archer said that she hopes to expand the capacity in the future to 150 or 200 people, but that this depends on operational capacities. When guests purchase tickets, they are asked if they need accommodation for any dietary restrictions or allergies. Each course had a vegan alternative, and gluten or dairy-free options were available as well. Beyond events like Dining Al Fresco, the RBG is deeply involved in local conservation efforts , ecological research , and environmental education . To find out more about the RBG's future dining events and purchase tickets, visit . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Grade II* listed estate's rose garden in bloom weeks early due to weather
An estate's rose garden has burst into bloom two weeks early. Jay Robin's rose garden at Borde Hill in Haywards Heath is a riot of colour due to warm weather encouraging its early appearance. The garden, designed by Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) gold medal winner Robin Williams in 1996 and named after Andrewjohn and Eleni Stephenson Clarke's daughter, contains 750 David Austin rose plants of 100 varieties. Williams' design ensures that the Elizabethan chimneys of Borde Hill House are immediately noticeable as visitors walk into the garden, making a spectacular backdrop to the vibrant planting. Jay Robin's rose garden (Image: Borde Hill) It is a colour wheel of white, yellow, pink, orange, and red roses, nestled between small trees and framed on two sides by topiary and 100-year-old yew hedges. At the heart of the garden is a fountain statue of Aphrodite, installed in August 2020 and sculpted by artist Brendon Murless. READ MORE: Grade II* listed garden to reopen for 2025 season The life-size copper figure is studded with roses and holds a bouquet from which the water bursts. Roses at Borde Hill (Image: Borde Hill) Roses in Bloom is running from June 9 until June 20, when visitors can access hints and tips on how to grow their own roses at home. The event is included in general garden admission tickets. Individual RHS Members who visit during the Roses in Bloom weeks receive 20 per cent off the standard admission price.
