Hello sweet friends! Last week Mr. Decor and I took a trip out to the Pacific Northwest to visit family. While there we also spent half a day viewing the Portland Japanese and Rose Test Garden.
Portland Japanese and Rose Test Garden
At the top of our list was visiting the Japanese Garden. Mr. Decor was stationed in Japan for a few years and we both enjoy the beauty and tranquility traditional Japanese gardens offer.
Leaving the house early we arrived at the Japanese Garden right when it opened.
You can purchase timed entry tickets online and walk right in.
By arriving early the line to purchase tickets in person was short.
In the Cultural Village section of the garden is the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center. The current art exhibition showcases the gorgeous paintings of Daisuke Nakano.
The artist uses the centuries-old Nihonga-style painting technique to capture light and the spirit of wildlife in his screen paintings of botanical landscapes.
We strolled slowly through each of the various areas appreciating the wonderful variety of textures and layers.
We spent approximately two very enjoyable hours at the Japanese Garden.
Japanese Garden address: 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205
Open Thursday thru Monday 10:30 – 5:30
The Rose Test Garden
Also in the Washington Park area is the Rose Test Garden.
It is a short 5-minute walk from the Japanese Garden.
There are over 10,000 individual rose bushes that represent over 610 different rose varieties.
The primary purpose of the garden is to serve as a testing ground for new rose varieties.
The garden was begun in 1915 by Jesse A. Currey, a rose hobbyist and Sunday editor of the Oregon Journal.
Currey convinced city officials to institute a rose test garden to serve as a safe haven for hybrid roses grown in Europe during World War I.
Many rose lovers feared that these unique plants would be destroyed in the bombings.
Rose Test Garden address: 400 SW Kingston Avenue Portland, OR 97210
Open 5:00 am-10:00 pm
Bonus: This glorious garden is absolutely free.
I hope you have enjoyed this stroll thru two glorious gardens.
Have a flower-filled day!
Laura
Beautiful, Laura. I am very much drawn to the Asian aesthetic, and the Portland Japanese garden is beautiful. Thank you for sharing that and the test rose garden!
You found two remarkably beautiful and peaceful places — and I’m sure they were both so very fragrant! Lovely, Laura.
How lovely to enjoy the scent from all those beautiful blossoms! One of my brothers gathered and studied different roses for years and honestly, had enough information to write a book on them with amazing pictures but his health has been declining and the work stopped. He shared many of his gorgeous plants with family and friends and I have some blossoming in my yard to enjoy, although I don’t remember the names or species.
The lovely serene Japanese gardens would be so calm and peaceful to enjoy. Early morning is always the nicest time to enjoy a garden.
Thank you so much for sharing your photos. They are so professional.