Stop and smell the roses at one of the country's best gardens dedicated to the bloom.
The San Jose Municipal Rose Garden is a fine place to escape the city for a while, and rose aficionados shouldn't miss it.The 2.2-hectare garden was once an orchard, but was bought by the city in 1927 and is maintained by dedicated volunteers. Steadily growing over the years, the garden now has more than 3,500 shrubs representing 189 different varieties and is much praised for its outstanding design and impressive collection.The last ten years have been turbulent for the garden, but since the non-profit Friends of the San Jose Rose Garden was established in 2007, the garden has been restored and renovated. In 2010, the gardens were named America's Best Rose Garden in the first nationwide contest of its kind. In 2013, the garden received the “Great Rosarians of the World™” (GROW) Hall of Fame Award. The prestigious award is given annually to promote a wider public knowledge and appreciation of treasured botanical gardens.Aside from the beautiful surrounds which are laid out around a fountain, rose lovers should make a bee-line here as the garden is a display garden for the All-America Rose Selections, and receives new varieties before official release.The gardens are a popular alfresco lunch spot, so get there early if you want to secure a prime picnic spot among the blooms. The garden is at its best in spring or summer, but is still worth a visit at other times in the year as there are nearly always a few roses in bloom. Entry and parking is free. The gardens are just under 10 minutes' drive from downtown.
