International Rose Test Garden

"The promise of a bud is better than a full blown rose." 

--Author Unknown

One of my favorite flowers is a rose, especially the tea rose, for its fragrance. It has a variety of color and it can be made as a beautiful bouquet. It's the best selling flower during holidays, especially during Valentine's Day. We went to this place three weeks ago, which is just across the street of the Japanese Garden. This is a kind of plant that you can put in your garden, because it blooms the whole summer. They said flowers are created so that for a moment we can have a glimpse of paradise here on Earth. 

International Rose Test Garden is in Washington Park in Portland, Oregon. There are 10,000 rose plants of approximately 650 varieties. On clear days, you can see the view of Cascade Mountains and Mt. Hood. Each year a lot of visitors from around the world enjoy the sights and scents of the garden. 

Features

1.) Amphitheater - it hosts many events throughout the year. During good weather, it's good for picnics. 

2.) Shakespeare Garden - it originally contained botanicals mentioned in the books of William Shakespeare. It's popular for special occasions such as weddings. 

3.) Gold Medal Garden - it's a formal garden with award-winning roses, walkways, fountains, and a gazebo. 

4.) Royal Rosarian  Garden - it has paid tribute to Goodwill ambassadors and official greeters who serve in the many Rose Festival events. 

5.) Miniature Rose Garden - one of the only six testing grounds for the American Rose Society. The elevated beds at the entrance are popular for their unique varieties. 

6.) Abstract Stainless Steel Sculpture and Fountain - called the Frank E. Beach Memorial Fountain (1975) by Lee Kelly. 

7.) Rose Garden Store - opened May 1, 2000 to provide guest services 

History

In 1917 a group of Portland nurserymen came up with the idea of an American rose test garden. Portland had an enthusiastic group of volunteers and 20 miles of rose bordered streets. In 1905, Portland was already dubbed "The City of Roses." Between Portland Parks & Recreation and the American Rose Society, the garden soon became a reality. 

Jessie Currey, the president of the Portland's Rose Society at the time, petitioned for the city to serve as a safe haven for hybrid roses grown in Europe during WWI. Rose lovers feared these unique plants could be destroyed as a result of a war. Foreign hybridists sent roses for tests from many countries and the garden was an immediate success. Today, Portland is the only North American city that can issue its rewards to roses of merit throughout the world. 

*Note: We went to the Rose Garden twice, and this post includes pictures from both trips.