Ten Thousand Roses Bushes
The International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park, Portland, is the mothership of all rose gardens. It spans 4.5 acres and is a showcase for 650 varieties of roses.
International Rose Test Garden Photo Credit//Beth Marlin Lichter
In 1888 Georgiana Pittock held the first rose show in the garden of her home, the Pittock House. One year later she and her friends who also loved roses, formed the Portland Rose Society. It didn't take long before Portland was named "City of Roses".
In 1905 a large event, the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition and American Pacific Exposition and Oriental Fair was held in Portland. Preparations for the influx of 1.6 million visitors to the fair included lining the streets with roses, a hybrid tea rose named Madame Caroline Testout.
Madame Caroliine Testout Rose Photo Credit//Beth Marlin Lichter
Madame Testout was a dressmaker. French hybridizer Joseph Pernet-Ducher sold her the rose and Madame Testout named it after herself. In 1892 it arrived in the U.S. and the city of Portland imported thousands of them. In 1902, they were handed out, door-to-door and by the time the exposition began in 1905, one quarter of all city streets were lined with this rose. Visitors were so impressed, they moved to Portland in droves, creating a population explosion. During this time, many of the craftsman homes that exist today were built. Then, in the 1920's "improvements" such as widened streets got underway and the roses began to disappear. They can still be found in certain neighborhoods, however and that will probably be the subject of a future blog article.
The Streets of Portland Were Lined With Roses
Jesse A. Currey (1873-1927) was a former President of the Portland Rose Society. He was also a Royal Rosarian, as in, "Official Greeters And Ambassadors For The City of Portland". With help from folks in high places, he was able to secure a site for his big project, an international rose garden, and as its founder, embarked upon a serious mission.
Jesse A. Currey Plaque Photo Credit//Beth Marlin Lichter
World War Two was in full swing. Currey wanted to assist in the preservation of endangered roses, and lobbied hard to get the garden ready to accept some of Europe's finest.
International Rose Test Garden in Portland, Oregon Photo Credit//Beth Marlin Lichter
Plants arrived from England and Ireland and Los Angeles as well as from the East Coast of the United States. Pretty soon Portland had itself a world class rose garden and the Portland Rose Festival was born. The 130th Annual Spring Rose Show in 2018 celebrated the oldest and longest-running show in the country.
A Path Through The Roses Photo Credit//Beth Marlin Lichter
It takes me a long time to walk through this garden. I want to stick my nose into every variety to check for fragrance. The scent of some roses is subtle and sweet. Others hit you over the head like a powerful aphrodesiac.
Morning Dew On The Roses Photo Credit//Beth Marlin Lichter
The International Rose Test Garden employs one curator and two Summer caretakers. Volunteers are needed for dead-heading, which requires an orientation, but can't think of a more magnificent setting for volunteerism.
stop and smell the roses
