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Where to Find Roses in Portland Oregon aka Rose City

Portland has many nicknames, and among them is “City of Roses” or “Rose City”. If you’re visiting, it may not be 100% clear why it’s called that, but after spending a year in Portland, you begin to see them in different corners of the city.

Are you visiting Portland in the summer? Portland Oregon is commonly called the City of Roses or Rose City. Check out this article to see where to find the roses in Rose City • when is Portland Oregon rose garden flower season • Includes International Rose Test Garden, Peninsula Park, and More // Local Adventurer #pdx #portland #pnw #oregon #roses

WHY IS PORTLAND CALLED THE CITY OF ROSES?

The general consensus is that a few different things happened in the early 1900s that caught on.

The first was in 1888 when the Episcopal Church held a convention in Portland. The attendees referred to the city as the City of Roses, which later caught on in 1905. Harry Lane, the mayor at the time, came up with the concept to have an ongoing festival dedicated to roses. Two years later, the first Portland Rose Festival happened.

Another story comes from a local business called Oregon Life Insurance Company, which is now Standard Insurance. Leo Samuel, who founded the company, loved growing roses outside his home. He would leave a pair of cutting shears so people could take one with them, which then inspired others to start growing roses at their homes and businesses.

Lastly, roses grow REALLY well in Portland. That’s the main reason why the city has an International Rose Test Garden, where new rose varieties are constantly sent here from different parts of the world to be evaluated.

WHERE TO FIND ROSES IN PORTLAND

International Rose Test Garden

This is the absolute best spot to see the roses. It’s free for visitors and we put together a guide for your visit here.

The International Rose Test Garden in Portland Oregon - one of the most popular attractions in PDX // Local Adventurer #portland #rosesPinPortland Oregon Things to Do in Summer - Visit the Portland Rose Garden + Parks // Local Adventurer #pdxPin

Peninsula Park Rose Garden

This is Portland’s first public rose garden and where they first held the Rose Festival.

700 N Rosa Parks Way, 97217, map

Peninsula Park Rose Garden • Best Rose Gardens in Portland • Best Season and Time to Visit • Photo by Decaseconds // Local Adventurer #pdx #portland #pnw #oregon #roses
photo: Decaseconds / cc

Pittock Mansion

There are 100 different species of roses on the grounds. Don’t forget to look out for the Gold Struck Georgiana Pittock Rose. 3229 NW Pittock Dr, 97210 

Are you visiting Portland in the summer? Portland Oregon is commonly called the City of Roses or Rose City. Check out this article to see the best places to find the roses • Best rose gardens in Portland • Best season and time to visit • Photo of Pittock Mansion Rose Garden // Local Adventurer #pdx #portland #pnw #oregon #rosesPinAre you visiting Portland in the summer? Portland Oregon is commonly called the City of Roses or Rose City. Check out this article to see the best places to find the roses • Best rose gardens in Portland • Best season and time to visit • Photo of Pittock Mansion Rose Garden // Local Adventurer #pdx #portland #pnw #oregon #rosesPin

Ladd Circle Park and Rose Gardens

There are four rose gardens on the north, east, south, west end of the neighborhood.

1996 SE Ladd Ave, 97214, map

Ladd's Addition is a Portland Neighborhood that has Four Rose Gardens in Each Corner • Best of Portland Rose Garden Parks • Best Season and Time to Visit • Includes International Rose Test Garden, Peninsula Park, and More // Local Adventurer #pdx #portland #pnw #oregon #roses
photo: Nelson Minar / cc

BEST TIME TO VISIT THE PORTLAND ROSE GARDENS

Roses have a wide range when they can bloom, typically anywhere from April to October. The peak season usually comes in June, but the exact timing can change from year to year depending on the weather.

Are you visiting Portland in the summer? Portland Oregon is commonly called the City of Roses or Rose City. Check out this article to see the best places to find the roses • Best rose gardens in Portland • Best season and time to visit • Photo of Pittock Mansion // Local Adventurer #pdx #portland #pnw #oregon #roses

Otherwise, you’ll just have to keep your eye out for them as you walk around town. If you know of anywhere else to find roses, let us know so we can add it to the list.

BEST PLACES TO STAY

See all the best hotel deals and reviews here.

DID YOU ENJOY THE POST? PIN IT FOR LATER

Are you visiting Portland in the summer? Portland Oregon is commonly called the City of Roses or Rose City. Take a look at this article to see the best places to find Roses in Portland • Best Rose Gardens in Portland Oregon • Best Season and Time to Visit • Includes International Rose Test Garden, Peninsula Park, and More // Local Adventurer #pdx #portland #pnw #oregon #rosesPinAre you visiting Portland in the summer? Portland Oregon is commonly called the City of Roses or Rose City. Take a look at this article to see the best places to find Roses in Portland • Best Rose Gardens in Portland Oregon • Best Season and Time to Visit • Includes International Rose Test Garden, Peninsula Park, and More // Local Adventurer #pdx #portland #pnw #oregon #rosesPinAre you visiting Portland in the summer? Portland Oregon is commonly called the City of Roses or Rose City. Check out this article to see where to find the roses • Best of Portland rose garden parks • Best Season and Time to Visit • Includes International Rose Test Garden, Peninsula Park, and More // Local Adventurer #pdx #portland #pnw #oregon #rosesPin

Are you visiting Portland in the summer? Portland Oregon is commonly called the City of Roses or Rose City. Take a look at this post to see the best spots to find the roses in Rose City • Learn when is the Portland Oregon rose garden flower season • Includes International Rose Test Garden, Peninsula Park, and More // Local Adventurer #pdx #portland #pnw #oregon #rosesPinAre you visiting Portland in the summer? Portland Oregon is commonly called the City of Roses or Rose City. Take a look at this article to see the best places to find Roses in Portland • Best Rose Gardens in Portland Oregon • Best Season and Time to Visit • Includes International Rose Test Garden, Peninsula Park, and More // Local Adventurer #pdx #portland #pnw #oregon #rosesPinAre you visiting Portland in the summer? Portland Oregon is commonly called the City of Roses or Rose City. Take a look at this article to see the best places to find Roses in Portland • Best Rose Gardens in Portland Oregon • Best Season and Time to Visit • Includes International Rose Test Garden, Peninsula Park, and More // Local Adventurer #pdx #portland #pnw #oregon #rosesPin
Ladd's Addition is a Portland Neighborhood that has Four Rose Gardens in Each Corner • Best of Portland Rose Garden Parks • Best Season and Time to Visit • Includes International Rose Test Garden, Peninsula Park, and More • Photo by Nelson Minar // Local Adventurer #pdx #portland #pnw #oregon #rosesPinPeninsula Park Rose Garden • Best Rose Gardens in Portland • Best Season and Time to Visit • Photo by Decaseconds // Local Adventurer #pdx #portland #pnw #oregon #rosesPin
Are you visiting Portland in the summer? Portland Oregon is commonly called the City of Roses or Rose City. Check out this article to see where to find the roses • All the best rose gardens in Portland you need to visit • Best season and time to visit • Includes International Rose Test Garden, Peninsula Park, and More // Local Adventurer #pdx #portland #pnw #oregon #roses

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ESTHER + JACOB

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, which is one of the top 25 travel blogs in the world. They believe that adventure can be found both near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city every year and currently base themselves in NYC.

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This Post Has One Comment

  1. Lea

    Portland is an amazing city, even for the budget traveler, which is why I did a blog about 10 things to do in Portland under $10. There are so many wonderful things to do it’s hard to pick where to start!

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