In the "City of Roses"

There is no sweeter place to be during the summer months than in the International Rose Test Garden in Portland, Oregon. You feel as though you've been plunged into Wonderland with over 7000 rose plants in over 500 varieties. The smells will leave you floating through the 4.5 acres of terraces with row upon row of multicolored roses.  Many people lay down blankets for a picnic or enjoy a conversation on one of the benches scattered throughout the garden. The roses bloom from April until October with the peak month in June. If you need another excuse to visit the Rose Garden, it is located in Washington Park (also home to the exceptional Japanese Garden) and has spectacular views of Mt. Hood in the distance.

If you're looking for sensory overload, this is the garden for you. The Rose Garden is open year round from 7:30AM - 9PM and is FREE to the public. They don't call Portland the "City of Roses" for nothing.

"Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses."
- Alphonse Karr, A Tour Round My Garden

Get outside and smell the roses.
xo,
the Bayou Botanist