International Rose Test Garden

"Portland’s obsession with the rose began when the local Rose Society planted 20 miles of the flower in honor of the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition in 1905. Ten years later, the president of the society, Jesse Currey, successfully persuaded the city to create a test garden to save and cultivate rose varieties from Europe during World War I. Dubbed the International Rose Test Garden, the resulting rose garden is now nurtured within Portland’s Washington Park. From April through October, it exhibits over 10,000 rose plants that bloom from 650 varieties. A wonderful scent wafts through the garden, especially as the roses become most aromatic in the afternoon when the day is at its warmest.   The garden is split into three sections: the Royal Rosarian Garden, the Shakespeare Garden, and the Miniature Rose Garden. The first traces its roots back to the very origin of the garden and has its own secret rose society: the Order of Royal Rosarians. Members of this order are the official greeters and goodwill ambassadors of Portland. There also lies a stone bench to honor the garden’s founder. The Shakespeare Garden houses roses named after characters from his iconic plays. A memorial to the bard sits along the lush flowers with a quote reminding visitors of his love of roses. Lastly, the Miniature Rose Garden grows and tests miniature species of the flower. Also seen in this kaleidoscopic garden are the winners for the Gold Award for best new variety of rose." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

"This is where everyone stops to smell the roses in the Rose City. Celebrating its centennial in 2017, the International Rose Test Garden is the nation’s oldest continually operating rose test garden (where varieties are evaluated for characteristics such as disease resistance, bloom size, and fragrance). Originally conceived as a way to preserve different varieties of European roses from the destruction of World War I, the garden today contains 10,000 plants across 4.5 acres in Washington Park. Best of all, it’s completely free, whether you want to compare green thumbs with professionals or take in the views of Mount Hood while breathing in the perfumed air."

"This is where everyone stops to smell the roses in the Rose City. Celebrating its centennial in 2017, the International Rose Test Garden is the nation’s oldest continually operating rose test garden (where varieties are evaluated for characteristics such as disease resistance, bloom size, and fragrance). Originally conceived as a way to preserve different varieties of European roses from the destruction of World War I, the garden today contains 10,000 plants across 4.5 acres in Washington Park. Best of all, it’s completely free, whether you want to compare green thumbs with professionals or take in the views of Mount Hood while breathing in the perfumed air."

"A visit to the Rose City without a stop at the Rose Garden is sacrilege. If your timing’s off to catch the more than 10,000 bushes in their full glory (they bloom April through October and peak in June), the expansive views and general splendor of the nearly-five-acre garden are still worth a visit, even in the dead of winter. Founded in 1917 to help preserve European hybrid roses people feared would be lost to persistent World War I bombing raids, the garden flourished, and has since helped firmly embed its beautiful tenants in Portland’s cultural identity. Seek out the serene Shakespeare Garden, hidden behind heavy hedges on the south end of the park, below the Rose Garden Store. It's planted exclusively with flowers, herbs, and trees named in his plays." - Jen Stevenson

"Start us off with an overview. A visit to the Rose City without a stop at the Rose Garden is sacrilege. If your timing’s off to catch the more than 10,000 bushes in their full glory, the expansive views and general splendor of the nearly-five-acre garden are still worth a visit, even in the dead of winter. Founded in 1917 to help preserve European hybrid roses people feared would be lost to persistent World War I bombing raids, the garden flourished, and has since helped firmly embed its beautiful tenants in Portland’s cultural identity: Sip Steven Smith Teamaker’s Rose City Genmaicha, tear into the the pistachio-rose croissant at Nuvrei, get permanent bicep petals at New Rose Tattoo shop, and cheer on the fierce all-female Rose City Rollers roller derby league. Sounds like fun. Are there any specific things we should be sure to check out? Seek out the serene Shakespeare Garden, hidden behind heavy hedges on the south end of the park, below the Rose Garden Store. Donated by the LaBarre Shakespeare Club, it was dedicated on the bard’s birthday in 1946, and planted exclusively with flowers, herbs, and trees named in his plays. Requirements for residency are looser these days, and includes roses named for Shakespearean characters—an appropriate allowance in honor of the guy who so famously wrote, "Of all flowers methinks a rose is best.” Even with such ethereal surrounds, the lush little garden holds its own—so much so that many a midsummer night’s dream wedding take place here. Do you have any tips for navigating the park? Arrive early in the day. Park in the lot below the Washington Park tennis courts, then descend a stone staircase into the dramatically terraced garden, getting a the lay of the land. You’re largely on your own here; except for the neatly labeled varietals, signage is at a minimum, so start wandering, stopping to smell the roses, of course. Alternately, you can walk or bike from downtown—it’s a heart-pumping, steadily uphill two-mile trek. Or, when the park’s free seasonal shuttle is in operation (daily, May through September, weekends during April and October), take the MAX light rail to the Washington Park station and hop the shuttle. On the right side of the garden, by the gift shop, there’s a wheelchair-accessible ramp, but much of the garden is quite hilly, so not all areas will be easy to get to. Who do you think the garden is best for—and who would definitely not enjoy it? The only travelers who should steer clear of the garden are those with rose allergies or acute anthophobia—fear of flowers, yes it’s a real thing and Queen Elizabeth I had it. Everyone else should experience its sheer splendor. But timing is important; the plants bloom from mid-spring to late fall, and generally peak in June, right around Portland Rose Festival week." - Jen Stevenson