Portland holds many affectionate nicknames such as Bridge City and Stumptown. The meaning behind Bridge City is relatively straightforward, as many of these architectural feats comprise its urban landscape. Stumptown has its origins dating back to the 1800s, in which rapid development took place, leaving behind many tree stumps. This West Coast city also has another nickname: the City of Roses. The reason behind this alias is due to the city’s longstanding tradition of growing and celebrating this flower. Not only that, but the local climate makes for a prime environment for these delicate flowers to flourish. In the late 19th and early 20th century, Georgiana Pittock, founder of the Portland Rose Society, was instrumental in making Portland synonymous with roses. During the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition in 1905, the city was lined with roses for hundreds of miles, further cementing its status as the City of Roses. Furthermore, there is the annual Portland Rose Festival, at which a Rose Queen has been named every year since 1907.
A beautiful way to celebrate Portland as the City of Roses is to spend time at the International Rose Test Garden. Something interesting to note about this garden is that its primary purpose is to serve as a testing ground for new varieties of roses (hence its name). During WWI, this garden served as a haven for roses, which were initially grown in Europe, as people feared that the bombings would destroy rare varietals. England sent its first batch of roses during this period, and other countries from around the world soon followed suit. These roses were sent here to be sheltered and tested, which created the foundation for the immaculate garden that we have today.
The landscape design was created in 1921, and this layout has remained unchanged ever since. Rose varietals continue to expand within the nearly 7 acres that this garden occupies. It is estimated that 700,000 people visit the International Rose Test Garden every year to see all that is growing here. It is a perfect, calm environment for a family day.
This garden is a wonderful place to visit. Whether you want to see all the flowers or have the focus to be more picnic-oriented, you’ll enjoy your time spent here. My wife and I recently took our toddler here, and she had a great time using her binoculars to inspect the roses she came across. Pro tip for parents of young children: Encourage your child to walk for the majority of the time. It contains the perfect number of steps and hills to expend enough energy for a solid nap later on.
The pathways here, and property itself, are also spacious enough for children to freely run around on without the risk of bumping into other visitors or a prickly rose bush. We are always in search of easy, low-key family outings, and the International Rose Test Garden is a go-to of ours.
Located at Washington Park, the entrance is accessible at 400 SW Kingston Avenue. Portland, OR 97210. The hours are 5:00 am to 10:00 pm, and the facility is closed from 5:00 am to 10:00 am every other Wednesday from May through August. The garden itself has its own whimsical store with offerings of everything rose-related. Everything inside either looks like a rose, smells like a rose, or is made from a rose. Anyone who has read other columns of mine knows how much of a sucker I am for a good gift shop, and this is undoubtedly one of them. The store at the Rose Garden is only open seasonally, so be sure to check it out while it’s open this summer. I should also add that it is a non-profit and all proceeds go directly to the care and preservation of the garden. Another plus of visiting here is that there are public restrooms, which are very well-maintained and accessible. The only tricky aspect of visiting is finding parking, but securing a spot is relatively easy if you arrive early.
Containing more than 10,000 individual rose bushes along with more than 610 rose varietals, you will immediately be surrounded by opulent elegance. Have each member of your family bring a book to read in the Shakespeare Garden, a shady corner of the garden. Or bring your notebook to write down features of roses you like while examining the flowers. You can also take a free Garden Tour every day at 1:00 pm between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
For centuries, roses have symbolized many things, including love and romance, as well as beauty and perfection. Portland is affectionately referred to as the City of Roses because it is filled with roses. Visiting the International Rose Test Garden is not only an easy way to enjoy natural beauty, but also a way to experience an authentic piece of Portland history.
Alex is a devoted husband and father born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He is a professional artist, author, and advisor for both Yale and Harvard University’s arts departments. His books, ‘Selling Leonardo: The Art World’s Greatest Scandal’ and ‘Holy Ghost: Decoding Leonardo da Vinci’s Final Painting’ are available wherever books are sold.