Washington Park's International Rose Test Garden holds over 10,000 rose plants in more than 650 varieties, in bloom from May through October. The setting is spectacular: tiered gardens on a hillside with views across Portland to Mount Hood and three other volcanic peaks on clear days. Entry is free year-round.
The garden is the oldest continuously operating public rose test garden in the United States. The Gold Medal Garden section displays the prize-winning cultivars from each year's competition. Below the main terraces, the Shakespeare Garden is planted with flowers and herbs mentioned in Shakespeare's plays. The garden is a 15-minute uphill walk from the Washington Park MAX station (Red and Blue lines), or accessible by the park shuttle that runs seasonally from the station.