It’s June. It’s Portland. And it’s all about roses. For
years, the Rose City has celebrated its eponymous flower with a festival,
parades, royal court, and the obligatory visit to its most famous showplace,
the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park. If you want to smell the
roses without the crowds, head south about 25 miles to the Willamette Valley
for a visit to Heirloom Roses.
Here, spread out over five acres of themed gardens, are
thousands of roses in all colors, shapes, and sizes. Visitors are free to
wander through the grounds admiring the Climbers, the Miniatures, the Hybrid
Teas, or sit on a bench in the shade and enjoy the fragrance and hues.
In the Sales Cottage, a wide variety of plants are available
along with rose-specific gardening tools, books, and supplies. The gardens are
open year round with roses in bloom from May to October, but June is certainly
the peak time. Take a look!
