• Availability List
• English Roses
• Rambling Roses
• Climbing Roses
• Old Garden Roses
• Shrub Roses
• Hardy Roses
• Wild Roses
• Ground Covers
• 'Found' Roses
• 'Found' Roses
• Fibre Art Creations

 

 

About us

The Breath of Life

The Old Rose Nursery started over thirty years ago. From a few roses around the farm cottage, it has grown over the years to an impressive collection of over a thousand varieties.  English roses, old garden roses, ramblers, climbers, modern shrubs, rugosas, groundcover roses and of course varieties of wild roses all thrive together to create a unique and breathtaking garden. The owners, Maija Maltais and Daren Germaine, are both avid organic gardeners, outdoors lovers and passionate raw foodists. Maija is a licensed naturopath, herbalist, aroma therapist, watercolour and fibre artist, actress, and she has been living on raw foods for over 11 years. Along with her endless work in the gardens, her fibre creations and her essential oils products, she also educates and gives conferences about living foods, organic gardening, herbal medicine and sustainable living.

Her husband Daren is a diesel mechanic by trade that retired from managing at one of the most reputable technical schools of the province, to enjoy the experience of living on the land while offering his skills to the small and friendly community that Hornby Island is.

Together they keep improving the stunning gardens on their five acres land by planting new varieties of roses as well as heirloom fruit and vegetables each year. Their connection to mother earth is deep, and although not certified, they grow all their plants fallowing the biodynamic principles. They propagate and sell own-root roses because they believe it is the most natural way to long lived and healthy roses. When a rose is not grafted but grown from its own root, it is not restricted in its growth habit by a single bud union. It tends to live longer, stronger, healthier and without alien suckers.

How to Find the Old Rose Farm
The farm is located on Hornby Island along the main road, Central Road, two miles from the ferry dock. To get to Hornby Island you get off the new Island Highway at Buckley Bay, 20 km south of Courtenay on Vancouver Island. You then catch the ferry to Denman Island (10 minutes) and drive across Denman (20 minutes) to the Hornby Island ferry (10 minutes).

.................................Maija & Daren