Known to many as a friendly face greeting visitors to the Gin Gin Community Hub, Bundaberg Regional Council's Amber Larsen has recently been recognised for growing beautiful roses.
The green thumb took out not one but 11 first place positions and seven second prize spots in the recent Gin Gin Show for her stunning flowers.
After 30 years of entering various sections at the local show, the Administration Officer said she was surprised and honoured to win so many prizes.
“Many of my roses, and no doubt others in the area, have been adversely impacted by the recent rain which caused entry numbers to be down, but the displays were still impressive,” Amber said.
“I don’t have any real secret to growing roses.
“I’m a self-taught amateur and only fertilise a couple of times a year and spray when pests are bad.
“If the roses are not looking great, I cut them back and let them shoot again.”
Amber believes a garden makes a house a home and said she enjoyed tinkering in the yard before and after work and for a few hours on weekends, attending to a variety of flowers and vegetables.
“I’ve always enjoyed flowers, but started growing roses many years ago when my mum gave me four rose bushes as a present,” Amber said.
“Since then, I’ve become more passionate and have gradually added to my collection.
“I admire other people’s gardens and get pleasure from sharing bunches of my roses with family, friends and work colleagues on their special occasions.”
