International Rose Test Garden, Rose test garden in Washington Park, Portland, United States.
The International Rose Test Garden is a rose garden in Washington Park, Portland, Oregon. The grounds spread across terraced slopes and host thousands of flowering plants organized into several thematic beds.
The garden opened in 1917 as a refuge for European specimens that hybridists sent for safekeeping during World War I. This function made it the first public testing ground of its kind in North America.
A dedicated section displays varieties named after theatrical characters, linking literature with living plantings. Visitors also find a stone memorial honoring the playwright, adding a thoughtful layer to the garden experience.
Admission is free year-round, and guided tours run during peak season from May through September. Blooming reaches its height in early summer, with early morning visits offering quieter moments.
Professionals evaluate new varieties in two-year trials for disease resistance and fragrance before commercial release. This process makes the site a living laboratory for rose breeders worldwide.
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