International Rose Test Garden - Portland, Oregon
Posted by: 
Hikenutty
N 45° 31.126 W 122° 42.334
10T E 522995 N 5040622
The International Rose Test Garden in Portland Oregon's beautiful Washington Park is the oldest official, continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States with over 6,800 rose plants representing over 600 varieties.
Waymark Code: WMY6C
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 11/09/2006
Views: 90
In 1915 Jesse A. Currey, rose hobbyist and regional trustee of the American Rose Society (ARS), convinced city officials to institute a rose test garden to serve as a safe haven during World War I for rare hybrid rose varieties grown in Europe. Rose lovers feared that these unique plants would be destroyed in the bombings. And so the five acre International Rose Test Garden was founded in 1917. Hybridists sent roses from many countries and the new rose test garden was an immediate success. Today it is the oldest official, continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States with over 6,800 rose plants representing over 600 varieties. The Test Garden received The Garden of Excellence Award from the World Federation of Rose Societies in 2006.
The Rose Garden is now actually comprised of several different sections of gardens, including the original International Rose Test Garden.
The Royal Rosarian Garden honors the Royal Rosarian civic group, which serves as the official goodwill ambassadors for the City of Portland. This garden is home to the 'namesake' roses of all past Prime Ministers of the Royal Rosarians. Many old favorites, which are no longer available commercially, may be found here.
The Shakespearean Garden , donated by the LaBarre Shakespeare Club was dedicated in 1945. Originally the garden included only herbs, trees, and flowers mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays. The garden continues to honor the Bard with roses named after characters in his plays. The focal point of the garden is a brick wall with a plaque featuring William Shakespeare’s image and his quote, "Of all flowers methinks a rose is best."
The Gold Medal Garden was constructed in 1969 commemorating 50 years of Gold Medal awards presented by the City of Portland. In 1991, the Portland Rose Society donated the gazebo which provides a great vantage point from which to view these award-winning roses. This formal garden also features a central fountain.
The Miniature Rose Garden is one of only six testing grounds for the American Rose Society (ARS) miniature rose test program. The national annual winners from both ARS and AARS associations are displayed in the middle of the garden along the center aisle.
There is a small store on whose proceeds go to the garden. It’s website is www.rosegardenstore.org
At the Portland Parks and Rec site listed below there is a Self Guided Tour brochure that you can download. There are also free guided tours of the rose garden led by trained volunteers at 1:00pm on Tuesdays and Saturdays from May 23-September 30, 2006. Meet at the sign outside the Rose Garden Store. Donations are gladly accepted.