International Rose Test Garden Questions

Answers

1917.

The park is open from 5:00 AM to 10:00 Pm, but we recommend visitors come between

7:30 am to 9:00 pm, every day, year-round.

No, it’s free. However, voluntary donations are accepted at donation boxes in the Garden. Proceeds from the Rose Garden Store also go to support the gardens and to keep admission free!

City of Portland Parks and Recreation Department

Through city taxes, donations, and proceeds from the Rose Garden Store.

4.5 acres

10,000 +/-

It depends on the weather here in the Pacific Northwest! The first buds usually start popping open towards the end of May. The Garden usually bursts into full bloom about the first week of June – just in time for the Rose Festival! The roses can last all the way into mid-October.

Generally, you can count on lots of flowers from Memorial Day clear through Labor Day– many years even into October, depending on the severity of the season.

Yes. The Garden is always worth a visit for its beautiful setting on a hillside overlooking the downtown Portland skyline with majestic Mt. Hood looming in the background. In the fall, the trees give us beautiful autumn colors; the camellias begin blooming in December; and spring brings masses of rhododendrons, azaleas, and pink clouds of cherry blossoms!

Approximately 70 percent of the garden is accessible. Please be aware that the ramp was built well before the current ADA requirements, and is steeper than the new ADA standard.

Yes - just keep them on a leash and clean up after them!

Yes! The Rose Garden Store is open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM during the summer season (Memorial Day to Labor Day), and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM during the winter. We are closed from Christmas to mid-March. Come visit us and choose from our wonderful selection of rose related items. Or SHOP ON-LINE.  Proceeds from the Rose Garden Store help support the Gardens.

From June 2 through September 19, free tours of the rose garden are led by trained volunteers at 11:30 AM on Tuesdays and 1:00 PM on Saturdays & Sundays. Meet at the sign outside the Rose Garden Store. Donations gladly accepted.

Guided tours for groups of 10 or more are available during the year for a nominal fee per person. Call 503-823-3664 to make arrangements.

In the summer season there is a stand selling items such as hotdogs, snowcones, and drinks. There is also a nice restaurant open year-round just outside the entrance to the Oregon Zoo, 2 miles up the hill. There are lots of restaurant choice just outside of Washington Park in the nearby NW 23rd district.

Yes! Over the years the garden has been the site of hundreds of weddings. (For more information visit the Portland Parks and Recreation website: http://portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?c=38300 )

To make reservations call 503-823-2525

Yes. Free public concerts are held over a two week period usually at the beginning of August. For more information, go to the Portland Parks and Recreation website at: http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?c=42670

No, that’s definitely not allowed! Many roses are protected under commercial patent rights. There is a Portland City ordinance specifying a $500 fine for the unauthorized removal of roses from the garden.

No, the Rose Garden does not produce roses commercially for sale – the Garden is for testing and for your enjoyment. However, we do recommend some growers:

Jackson & Perkins

    1-877-322-2300        http://www.jacksonandperkins.com

Edmunds Roses

    1-888-481-7673        http://www.edmundsroses.com

Heirloom Roses

    1-800-820-0465        http://www.heirloomroses.com

http://www.findmyroses.com

Many of the roses that you see in the Garden are available bare-root during the dormant season (winter to early spring) by mail order from commercial rose growers and at your local retail nursery outlets. After bare-root season, your local nursery should have a selection of potted roses.

We suggest contacting:

Jackson & Perkins: www.jacksonandperkins.com

                            1-877-322-2300

Edmunds Roses:    www.edmundsroses.com   

                            1-888-481-7673

Heirloom roses:     www.heirloomroses.com

                            1-800-820-0465

http://www.findmyroses.com

Those are the new hybrids currently undergoing testing. They are not yet named and are not commercially available. The test roses receieve the same treatment as all the other roses in the garden.

Automatic underground irrigation sprinkler system which delivers water primarily to the base of the plants.

Depends on weather conditions. Roses need plenty of moisture to their roots – but not on their foliage – to thrive.  The sprinklers come on very early in the morning so that that any foliage that gets wet can dry.

A 15-10-10 fertilizer developed by the Portland Rose Society, plus trace elements.

Three times per year – April, June and August

We used it for bed prep in the past. We now use garden compost as our primary soil amendment in the spring and fall.

Yes. For insect - Avid, Tempo II, Orthene. For diseases - Funginex Triforene.

At 10 to 14 day intervals as needed.

The roses are “topped” in November to about 3 ft. high. Then in February (traditionally between Valentine’s day and President’s Day) they are pruned to about 12 in. to 18 in. high, depending on growth habit. More pruning info...

One year-round, two in the summer, plus lots of volunteers. All of Portland's Rose Gardens always welcome the help of volunteers! Call 503-823-5121 for more information.

The Portland Rose Society, the Royal Rosarians, Portland Rose Festival Association and other civic groups have contributed in many ways to help the Garden.  Rose growers, Master Gardeners, and Park Hosts provide time and services to the Garden.  And a band of local residents helps to keep the Garden beautiful by volunteering their time and energy to "dead-head" the roses throughout the entire blooming season.

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