Award of Garden Excellence

In November 2022, the East German Rose Garden in Forst (Lausitz) was conferred the Award of Garden Excellence at the World Rose Convention in Adelaide (Australia).

On 24 August 2023, Mireille Steil (Vice President, World Federation of Rose Societies) presented the official award plaque that had been made in England to the town of Forst – and thus to the East German Rose Garden in Forst (Lausitz).

Mireille Steil, Vicepräsidentin der Weltrosengesellschaft im grünen Kleid und Verwaltungsvorstand Heike Korittke im gelben Oberteil enthüllen mit HIlfe eines weißen Tuches die Plakette aus Schiefer mit glodener Schrift

Stefan Palm, Parkmanager dankt Mireille Steil, Vicepräsidentin der Weltrosengesellschaft für die Verleihung der Plakette

Freude in Forst (v. links nach rechts sind zu sehen: Hans-Rainer Engwicht, Romy Ruff und Diana Sonntag vom Förderverein, Parkmanager Stefan Palm, Vizepräsidentin der WFRS Mireille Steil, Verwaltungsvorstand Heike Korittke, Ingo Paeschke als Vorsitzender der Stadtverordnetenversammlung und Jean-Paul Jost

Stefan Palm, Parkmanager freut sich über die Auszeichnung

Die Forster Rosenkönigin steht auf einer herbstlichen Wiese im Rosenpark mit einem roten Forster Schirm.

Stefan Palm, Parkmanager dankt Mireille Steil, Vicepräsidentin der Weltrosengesellschaft für die Verleihung der Plakette "Award of Garden Excellence"

Stefan Palm, Parkmanager freut sich über die Auszeichnung "Award of Garden Excellence"

Heike Korittke, who heads the town’s department for urban development and construction, and park manager Stefan Palm, who is also in charge of the local culture, tourism and marketing association, accepted the award on behalf of Forst’s mayor.

Award criteria

beauty and appeal of the park
state of park maintenance and quality
diversity and completeness of the rose collection
labelling of the rose varieties (classification, breeder, origin)
presentation and public image
specialised information services
visitor services (incl. seating and rest areas, accessibility, catering)

Nomination

A total of 77 gardens worldwide have received this coveted award. Beside the East German Rose Garden, the Europa-Rosarium in Sangerhausen, the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe in Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe and the rose gardens in Baden-Baden and Zweibrücken have been honoured.

Prof Dr Hans-Peter Mühlbach, who is the former president of the German Rose Society, nominated the East German Rose Garden for the Award of Garden Excellence following his visit to the park in 2017. This award is not only an absolute honour, but also an acknowledgement for all those who have rendered outstanding services to this garden and supported its further development with their commitment.

The town of Forst (Lusatia) would like to thank the German Rose Society for the nomination and the trust placed in the East German Rose Garden. For more information on the Award of Garden Excellence and the World Federation of Rose Societies, see www.worldrose.org.