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Sunday, October 17, 2021

The International Rose Test Garden in Portland, Oregon




Our next stop is the International





The Portland Rose Society was formed in 1888.  The Annual Rose Show began the following year and the event grew to include the Rose Festival.







The Rose Garden stretches out
before us.








Approved by Portland Parks in 1917, the Garden was a safe haven for European Hybrid Roses during World War I.  

A portion of the Garden was set aside to test new varieties and it became the oldest continuously running Rose Test Garden in the Country.   Today there are over 10,000 Roses 
in the Garden.







There are many blooms in October.  







Websites I've read about this Garden say that the best Rose viewing is from May to September.  October also has many lovely blooms.






Eric & I wander around
taking pictures of
Roses.












Roses thrive in Portland's abundant rains. 






We are not alone...

Everyone here is 
taking pictures.













Miniature Roses in raised beds




As we walk around I realize 
that this must be a very 
popular place for
wedding photos.







The City passed a Resolution making City of Roses Portland's official nickname n 2003.






Peach melts into pink
in this variety.















I think this is the most
popular wedding photo
setting in the Garden.




Shakespeare Garden has
Roses named for
Shakesperean characters.








Sadly, the blooms are spent.






A Palm Tree dominates
the walled garden.













I never expected to see a Palm Tree this far north of the Tropics.  Some varieties are hardy enough for this climate.






It's a quiet place to sit &
soak in the carefully
groomed space.









It's hard to read the Sun Dial
on a cloudy day









This statue commemorates













Since 1912 Royal Rosearians have been official greeters and ambassadors of Goodwill for the City of Portland.







This variety opens to
reveal densely packed
petals.









Rose Festival Queens Walk

Each Rose Queen signs a
commemorative marker.




This is the type of Rose I'm
familiar with; the petals 
 open from a densely 
packed cone.






Eric & the wall of Roses











This Rose is bright, sunny.







I imagine a Wedding Party
 posed in front of the
 archway.





Here's another Rose variety
with its own unique petal
pattern.




A Pumpkin has been mowed into
the lawn in front of the
Amphitheater Stage.








Eric and I loved our time among the Roses in Portland's most colorful public space.

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