The International Rose Test Garden in Portland, Oregon

Our next stop is the International

Rose Test Garden in Washington

Park.

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

the Royal Rosearians.

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.