Portland, Oregon: City of Roses

 

…and home to the International Rose Test Garden. Established in 1917, the 4.5-acre garden overlooks the city, but even the view of distant snow-capped mountains pales beside the innumerable blossoms in every shape, size, and color. Seven thousand shrubs of more than 550 varieties flourish here under the obviously loving ministrations of a single gardener, two summer caretakers, and volunteers. I nearly made myself sick sniffing so many blooms, but the heavenly fragrances were well worth it. And it’s free. What a wonderful way to while away a sunny afternoon. In another nod to its nickname, Portland actually uses roses as the flora of choice in medians and along the highways. Beautiful!