A highlight of the launch was introducing the people of Bathurst to the Governor Macquarie Rose.

Bathurst Regional Council has five of these beautiful roses to plant. The pale pink rose is named after Governor Lachlan Macquarie. It was bred specifically by the Rose Society of NSW to mark the bicentenary of his term as governor from 1810 to 1821.

Cr Monica Morse was happy to show off the rose at the launch while talking about the major role Governor Macquarie had in Bathurst’s history.

Ten amazing gardens will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4.30pm. A number of gardens will have the added attraction of live music.

The owners of these gardens said with some nice hot weather over the past couple of days they are looking their best. By the weekend they should be magnificent.

The Spring Garden Spectacular has been running for many years, first as a competition, then for the past three years as a display.

Last year’s event raised $14,000 for charity. This year the recipients of money raised include the Seymour Centre and the Mitchell Conservatorium of Music.

Chair of the Spring Garden Spectacular Judy Bayliss said each of the 10 gardens was different and all are a delight.

“Visitors will see everything from town gardens to big country gardens and there will be some natives,” she said.

“Highlights will include the most wonderful waratahs, rhododendrons and azaleas at The Folly, while Kurrawong Park has beautiful views to a lake and St Anthony’s Creek, is a country garden with diverse plant life.”

Miss Traill’s House will feature two extremely popular plant stalls.

One run by the Bathurst Gardener’s Club and the other featuring cuttings from the plants at the National Trust property.

Ms Bayliss said seven buses of garden club members will make the trip to Bathurst from all over the state for the weekend.