Trying to figure out the best spots to see roses in Portland? Welcome, you’re in the right place.
They don’t call Portland the City of Roses for nothing. If you’re curious how Portland got its moniker, it boils down to this: the city has the perfect climate for growing roses. Heck, simply driving down the interstate will expose you to a breathtaking display of colorful blooms.
If you’d like to get a closer look at the roses in Portland, allow me to share my list of the best spots to find roses in Portland. My grandma is a huge fan of roses and we spend a lot of time exploring gardens together, here’s our favorite places to visit.
When Do Roses Bloom in Portland?
Generally speaking, roses bloom from May to October, giving you ample time to find roses in Portland. It’s worth noting that different elevations experience peak bloom at different times. I’ll note peak blooms times while sharing where to find roses in Portland.
Where to See Roses in Portland
(Click here for the table of contents)
Portland International Rose Test Garden
- Best time to visit: June-August
- Address: 400 SW Kington Ave. Portland, Oregon 97205
- Hours: 7:30am to 9pm daily, arrive early to avoid crowds
- Admission: Free but must pay to park
The Portland International Rose Test Garden is, by far, the best spot to find roses in Portland because it’s one of the largest rose gardens in the country. Yep, you read that right.
Nothing short of miraculous, the garden is home to more than 10,000 rose bushes (and more than 650 varieties of roses). Serving as a warm invitation, the rose garden encourages visitors to slow down and enjoy the natural beauty of roses.
Originally started in 1915 by Jesse Currey, (rose hobbyist and Sunday editor of the Oregon Journal), the garden was established in an effort to preserve European roses susceptible to decimation during World War I. Today, roses from all over the world are sent to the garden for testing.
Check out: Local’s Guide to the Portland Rose Garden for a complete guide and many (many) photos!
Peninsula Park Rose Garden
- Best time for roses: June through October
- Address: 700 N Rosa Parks Way
- Hours: 5am to midnight daily
- Admission: Free
Opened in 1913, Peninsula Park Rose Garden is Portland’s first official public garden. Located in the Piedmont neighborhood, the garden was designed in the French style, with symmetrically balanced quadrants centered around an elegant fountain.
If you’re trying to figure out where to see roses in Portland without crowds, Peninsula Park has my vote. Peninsula Park’s rose garden is like a mini version of the International Rose Test Garden, and when I say “mini” I definitely don’t mean lesser.
The garden is home to 5,500 rose bushes (featuring 64 varieties), it’s a breathtaking display of color during peak bloom! But since the park isn’t as heavily trafficked as the International Rose Test Garden, you can expect less crowds, a win-win in my book.
Ladd Circle Rose Garden
- Best time for roses: May – October
- Address: SE 16th Ave. & Harrison St.
- Hours: 5am to midnight
- Admission: Free
Ladd’s Addition is one of the most charming neighborhoods in Portland. It was designed by William Sargent Ladd, a wealthy merchant inspired by the diagonal street system in Washington, D.C., which was a stark departure from the traditional grid-system common in American cities.
Following suit, Ladd designed a neighborhood with diagonal streets centered by a park (Ladd Circle). Surrounding the main park are four smaller diamond-shaped rose gardens located like points on a compass. While the main park was planted with perennials and camellias, the four smaller parks were reserved specially for roses.
All told, the gardens are home to more than 3,000 roses of 60 varieties that date back to the 20th century.
Pittock Mansion
- Best time for roses: June – August
- Address: 3229 NW Pittock Drive, Portland, Oregon 92710
- Hours: 10am to 4pm
- Admission: Free but must pay to park
Nestled in Portland’s West Hills, the Pittock Mansion is a sight for sore eyes. Designed for Henry Pittock, owner and publisher of the Oregonian, the 16,000 foot French Renaissance mansion was completed in 1914. If you have time to spare, I recommend touring the 23-room mansion to see the elaborately-decorated rooms adorned with original furniture.
Tour or not, the gardens on the estate are worth a visit. Henry’s wife Georgiana Pittock is credited with founding the Portland Rose Society and the Portland Rose Festival. An avid gardener, she grew many varieties of roses in her garden.
There’s a small area near the mansion where you stop and smell the roses. Admittidely, the selection is small, but the reason I consider this one of the best spots to find roses in Portland is because the epic viewpoint over the city. The views alone are worth a visit, the roses are merely icing on the cake.
Washington Park
- Best time for roses: May – October
- Address: 400 SW Kington Ave. Portland, Oregon 97205
- Hours: Open daily from 5am to 10pm
- Admission: Free, but must pay to park
Few know that the Rose Garden sits inside of Washington Park, the park is a show stopper in its own right. Washington Park encompasses the Portland Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Oregon Zoo, Vietnam Memorial and the World Forestry Center.
Spend an afternoon hiking the trails that connect these world-class institutions and admire the roses planted throughout the park. My favorite cluster of roses is found near the tennis courts, the fences are always covered in climbing roses, it’s very pretty.
The Arlington Heights Neighborhood
This is the neighborhood closest to Washington Park. It seems some homeowners have taken it upon themselves to compete with the International Rose Test Garden by planting mini rose gardens of their own. I suggest strolling through the lovely streets, the homes alone are worth a gander, it’s a very nice neighborhood to explore.
Best Spots for Roses in Portland, Oregon
- Portland International Rose Test Garden
- Washington Park
- Arlington Heights Neighborhood
- Peninsula Park
- Pittock Mansion
- Ladd Circle Rose Garden
Well, there you have it my friends. These are the best places to see roses in Portland, Oregon – I hope you enjoy!
If you have any questions whatsoever, make sure to reach out – happy to help!
See you next week!
Antonina
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