Flowering arches, rose-covered observation towers, and blooms of all colors. If you’re looking for some of the best rose gardens in the United States, this guide is for you! Stroll through 100-year-old sites, spend a quiet moment by a reflection pool or snap a photo in front of rare and colorful blossoms.
From New York to California, here are nine must-visit rose gardens.
E.M. Mills Memorial Rose Garden (Syracuse, NY)
Discover more than 3,000 colorful rose bushes at the E.M. Mills Memorial Rose Garden near Syracuse University. This 100-year-old historic rose garden blooms from spring to fall, but you’ll find the most bountiful blooms during the early summer when the rows of English roses and stunning climbing roses come to life. Explore the garden’s central pavilion or wander the maze-like beds of peach, coral, and honey-yellow roses. Don’t forget to bring a camera for a photo op under the ornate arches.
McKinley Rose Garden (Sacramento, CA)
Perfect for a quick stroll, photoshoot, or a date, the McKinley Rose Garden in Sacramento, California, is a charming little rose garden with over 1,000 rose bushes. Featuring shades of pinks, reds and whites that can survive the California heat, this garden was once a running track, which contributes to its oblong design. Fun fact: a scene from the movie Lady Bird was filmed here.
Elizabeth Park Rose Garden (Hartford, CT)
Elizabeth Park Rose Garden is the oldest public rose garden in America. Located in picturesque Hartford, Connecticut, the garden’s 15,000 hybrid tea, pillar, and perpetual rose bushes are the perfect backdrop for romantic events (the park hosts up to 20 weddings each weekend). Go at the end of June to see the famous rambling rose-covered arches in full bloom, and follow them to the center of the garden, where the massive cedar gazebo (known as the Rustic Summer House) offers the perfect place to rest in the shade.
The Rose Garden at Washington Oaks (Palm Coast, FL)
Stop and smell the roses at the whimsical rose garden at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. Featuring more than 150 rose bushes along with ten unique types of tea roses, the layout of the garden resembles a work of art. Start at the brick sunburst at the garden’s center and work your way through the circles of rose beds filled with blooms of all colors, from pinks and golds to dark reds and creams. While the garden blooms year-round, May is the most dazzling time to visit.
Columbus Park of Roses (Columbus, OH)
The Columbus Park of Roses in Columbus, Ohio, has no shortage of spectacular sights in its five themed gardens and certified arboretum. Roam the seven-acre Formal Garden’s Italian-style symmetrical beds and climb the elaborate observation tower. View roses dating back to ancient times in the Heritage Rose Garden, which only contains pre-1867 varieties. Get inspiration for your own garden from the Backyard Garden and see hundreds of plants and bulbs in the Herb and Perennial Gardens.
Woodland Park Rose Garden (Seattle, WA)
The 100-year-old Woodland Park Rose Garden in Seattle, Washington, is home to more than 3,000 individual rose plants. This pesticide-free rosarium feeds the animals at the zoo next door (apparently, the gorillas are huge fans of wilted roses). Take a stroll through the crimson, orange and yellow blossoms. Spend some time at the reflection pool and Roman-style fountain. Visit from May through August when the flowers are in full bloom.
Rose Garden at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (Des Moines, IA)
If you’re in Des Moines, Iowa, a stop at the Rose Garden at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is a must. The rose garden is bursting with rose varieties developed at nearby Iowa State University (including the dreamy, peachy Buck Rose), native plants, and herbs like globe amaranth, flowering tobacco, fennel, daffodils, and snowdrops. If you’ve got time, explore the glass-clad conservatory and gardens, showcasing everything from the rare, rainforest-dwelling corpse flower to savannah grasses.
Municipal Rose Garden (San Jose, CA)
The Municipal Rose Garden in San Jose, California, is a 5.5-acre wonder of lush green lawns, walking paths, and, of course, spectacular roses. Enter under a long arbor with clinging vines and wander through the intricately designed geometric rose beds surrounded by towering redwood trees. There are more than 4,000 rose shrubs and 200 varieties of roses to see, such as the Voodoo, a hybrid tea rose with sweet-smelling blooms that transform from orange to pink and then scarlet.
Tyler Municipal Rose Garden (Tyler, TX)
Immerse yourself in the beauty of 14 acres of breathtaking roses at the world-famous Tyler Municipal Rose Garden in Texas. Kick off your visit at the garden’s museum and gift shop, which highlights the garden’s history and the iconic Texas Rose Festival through memorabilia, interactive displays and costumes. Then, explore the expansive gardens featuring thousands of roses (there are more than 300 varieties) across 600 beds. Visit during peak bloom season – October and late May.
