I have lived in Beaverton for nearly 5 years now, and I ashamed to admit it, but there are still many local attractions that I have not yet seen. Late last month, I finally decided it was time to venture out to one of those unseen local attractions, The Portland International Rose Test Garden. The Rose Garden is located in Washington Park, Portland, Oregon. The garden is operated by Portland Parks and Recreation.

Once past the main parking lot of Washington Park (the parking area for the Zoo, Children’s museum, and the World Forestry Center) the drive becomes a very peaceful and relaxing, meandering pace. The International Rose Test Garden is open daily from 7:30A.M. to 9P.M. daily. I was pleasantly surprised when we arrived to learn that admission to the Portland International Rose Test Garden is FREE, my favorite price; however, donations are gladly accepted to help maintain this priceless beauty. As you enter the attraction at the top of the stairs it provides a breath taking view of both the Garden and an amazing overview of Portland itself, “The City of Roses.”

Over view of Portland, from inside the Portland International Rose Test Garden. Photo property of NewAgeVenus.Com. Do not reproduce without written permission.

The garden has tons or rose types and variations, miniatures and amazing large ones in every color imaginable. The garden actually features over 10,000 plantings, of 550 different varieties. The main purpose of the Garden is to test new varieties of roses. The Garden was founded in 1917, and is the official oldest public operated garden in the United States.

The gardens were in full bloom. The rose smell was heavenly and filled the air. The garden has easy walking paths that you can leisurely stroll through. There is an amphitheater located on the grounds where they hold various events and concerts during the year. There are bench located throughout the gardens. They are also smaller areas that feature other types of breath taking flowers.

The garden was peaceful and everyone we encountered seemed pleasant and serene due to the surroundings. The garden features a water fountain as well as a delightful store. The store is obviously rose themed, it carries dried roses, glass roses, gold roses, rose handbags and socks, rose necklaces and earrings, rose lotion, as well as a variety of other rose items. The Portland International Rose Garden is a perfect outing and a wonderful spot for a picnic lunch. This is grade “A” attraction for young and old alike. Hopefully the pictures will do the location justice; the only thing they lack is the delightful fragrance of rose.