History
Portland's International Rose Test Garden is the oldest official, continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States. In 1917, three prominent nurserymen met in Portland and decided that it was the perfect spot for an American Test Garden. Portland was fortunate in having a group of civic-minded citizens who took over the task of its establishment. Since it had 200 miles of rose-bordered streets, Portland had already been dubbed "City of Roses," and this was a perfect opportunity to enhance this reputation. Between Portland Parks & Recreation and the American Rose Society, the garden soon became a reality. Jessie Currey, president of Portland's Rose Society at the time, petitioned for the city to serve as a safe haven for hybrid roses grown in Europe during World War I. Rose lovers feared that these unique plants could be destroyed in the bombing. Foreign hybridists sent roses for test from many countries and the garden was an immediate success. Today, Portland is the only North American city that can issue its awards to roses of merit throughout the world.