International Rose Test Garden Tours and Activities

The International Rose Test Garden is one of the most important and most beautiful rose gardens in the world. It was founded in 1917, when roses were sent from Europe to ensure their preservation against the ravages of the First World War. As well as being a beautiful place to visit, the garden is also the site for a range of tests on new varieties of rose for their fragrance, colour and hue, and their ability to withstand pests. They are then named and sold to flower cultivators.See the crème de la crème of prize-winning blossoms in the Gold Medal Garden. You can also test yourself by trying to pick out the likely future winners from among the rose-testing beds with their plethora of as-yet-unnamed flowers.The Shakespeare Garden contains many of the flowers and other plants named in the playwright’s incomparable works. Roses, trees and a variety of herbs are all to be found here. The Bard of Avon is also honoured through the naming of a number of wonderful varieties after him.The best time of year to visit is during June, when the freshly emerged roses are in full flourish. This period is celebrated with a range of theatrical performances and classical music recitals in the garden's amphitheatre during the first two weeks of the month. The flowers bloom from June until October.The International Rose Test Garden is a perfect place for a picnic, and is very popular with the people of Portland. Don't forget your camera to capture the best of your colourful surroundings and the views over Mount Hood on good days.Found in Washington Park on the West Hills overlooking the city, the garden is around 5 kilometres from the city centre.