30 Best Rose Gardens in the World You Have To Visit
Also known as rosariums, rose gardens are true horticultural highlights that became popular in Medieval Europe. With thousands of different rose varieties and cultivars to enjoy, these stunning flowers look even better when planted en masse in a rose garden. In this article, we’ll explore 30 of the best rose gardens in the world.
30 Best Rose Gardens in the World
1) Bagatelle Rose Garden, France
One of the best places to admire roses in France is the Parc de Bagatelle in Paris. The site features several gardens surrounding a Neoclassical chateau, including a rose garden that was added in the early 1900s.
The Bagatelle rose garden is now home to approximately 10,000 individual rose bushes belonging to over 1200 species. An annual international competition for newly developed roses, which takes place in June, has been held at the garden since 1907.
| When to Go: | May to June |
| What You’ll See: | Roses, irises, and peonies |
2) Coloma Rose Garden, Belgium
Tucked away in the municipality of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw in Central Belgium is the exquisite Coloma Rose Garden. The garden is part of Coloma Park, which also contains a 16th century castle.
The Coloma Rose Garden was opened in 1995 and contains approximately 3,000 types of roses sourced from over 25 countries. When in full bloom during late spring and early summer, the display can contain over 65,000 rose bushes and up to 300,000 flowers.
| When to Go: | May to June |
| What You’ll See: | Roses from over 25 different countries |
3) David Austin Rose Garden, UK
David C. H. Austin was one of the UK’s most successful rose breeders. Many of his spectacular English roses, also known as Austin roses, are displayed at the David Austin Rose Garden in Shropshire.
This exquisite rosarium is divided into six themed gardens, including the Renaissance Garden and the Victorian Garden. In total, the collection contains over 700 varieties of roses. It also holds an Award of Garden Excellence bestowed by the World Federation of Rose Societies.
| When to Go: | May to July |
| What You’ll See: | English roses |
4) El Retiro Park Rose Garden, Spain
Once built as a private garden for Spanish royalty, El Retiro Park was taken into public ownership in 1868. In 1915, city gardener Cecilio Rodriguez designed and built a new rose garden known as La Rosaleda. Although inspired by Paris’s Bagatelle garden, Rodriguez opted for a less formal approach.
After being almost completely destroyed during the Spanish Civil War, the rose garden was restored in 1941. This spectacular garden now contains over 4000 rose bushes.
| When to Go: | May to June |
| What You’ll See: | Roses, cypresses |
5) Europa-Rosarium, Germany
The Europa-Rosarium in Sangerhausen, Germany, is one of the largest rose gardens in Europe. This extensive rosarium contains approximately 80,000 individual rose bushes featuring over 8600 species, including Alba roses, Centifolia roses, and Damask roses. About 2000 of the garden’s cultivars are unique to the Europa-Rosarium.
This stunning garden was officially opened in 1903 and expanded to its current size in 1939. The Europa-Rosarium also has a dedicated collection of wild roses.
| When to Go: | May to July |
| What You’ll See: | Alba roses, Damask roses, wild roses |
6) Exposition Park Rose Garden, USA
The Exposition Park rose garden is one of the true hidden horticultural gems of Los Angeles. The garden was opened in 1927 and has survived numerous threats from urban development over the decades. However, this wonderful garden continues to be beloved by the local community.
Exposition Park’s rose garden has several sunken beds containing thousands of rose bushes. Since 1940, the All-American Rose Association has donated its Rose of the Year winners to the garden.
| When to Go: | May to June |
| What You’ll See: | Roses of the Year |
7) Flora Olomouc Exhibition Center Rosarium, Czech Republic
The Flora Olomouc Exhibition Center is one of the most popular gardens in the Czech Republic. Nestled within its grounds is a rosarium and botanical garden. This interesting rosarium was completed in 1972 and displays over 670 varieties of roses.
The rosarium’s collection includes several types of climbing roses and ground cover roses. In total, the garden contains approximately 10,000 individual rose bushes, creating a truly stunning display.
| When to Go: | Late spring to early summer |
| What You’ll See: | Climbing roses and ground cover roses |
8) Giardino delle Rose, Florence, Italy
Florence is one of Italy’s most beautiful cities, so it’s no surprise that the city also contains a gorgeous rose garden. Situated in the Oltrarno district, the Giardino delle Rose was designed in 1865 by local architect Giuseppe Poggi. The garden was officially opened to the public thirty years later.
The Giardino delle Rose contains about 1200 rose bushes and displays over 400 rose varieties. There are also several prominent sculptures and even a Japanese oasis.
| When to Go: | Spring to early summer |
| What You’ll See: | Roses and lemon trees |
9) Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden, USA
The Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden is an award-winning garden tucked away in San Diego’s beautiful Balboa Park. The garden features several semi-circular beds containing 180 varieties of roses that bloom from March to December. The display peaks in April and May.
In 1978, the garden was recognized as an Outstanding Rose Garden by the All-American Rose Selection. In 2003, the World Federation of Rose Societies gave the garden an Award of Excellence.
| When to Go: | March to December |
| What You’ll See: | Award-winning roses |
10) International Rose Garden, Australia
Adelaide Botanical Garden is one of Australia’s best horticultural attractions. This impressive site also contains the International Rose Garden and National Rose Trial Garden. The latter tests new rose cultivars before allowing them to be sold in Australia.
The International Rose Garden has a wonderful collection that includes approximately 350 rose cultivars. This collection includes Floribunda roses, hybrid tea roses, and roses bred in Australia. The display begins in October and November but continues until April and June.
| When to Go: | October to November |
| What You’ll See: | Australian-bred roses and hybrid tea roses |
11) International Rose Test Garden, USA
Few rose gardens are as important as the International Rose Test Garden. The garden is located within Washington Park in Portland, Oregon; the aptly named “City of Roses”. This garden has provided a safe haven for horticulturalists to test new varieties of roses since World War One.
This historic collection features approximately 600 permanent varieties of roses. Each year, the display also includes several of the world’s newest rose varieties. Each variety has been tested in the garden.
| When to Go: | April to October |
| What You’ll See: | New and historic roses |
12) Jardins del Real o Viveros, Spain
Valencia has several picturesque public gardens, including a combined park known as the Jardins del Real o Viveros. The site covers almost 30 acres and used to be an old royal palace for local kings.
Now, the site contains several garden areas, including a gorgeous rose garden. This Spanish rose garden houses a collection consisting of 100 varieties of roses. Before becoming a public garden, the area was also used as a horticultural nursery.
| When to Go: | Spring and summer |
| What You’ll See: | Rose gardens and lush palm trees |
13) Jensen-Olson Arboretum, USA
Alaska may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about roses. However, the collection of hardy roses at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum in Juneau is a welcome surprise. Although better known for its primroses and trees, the Arboretum’s roses offer spectacular color and fragrance.
The Arboretum covers 1.5 acres and was gifted to Juneau by owner and gardener Caroline Jensen. The Jensen-Olson Arboretum has been open to the public since 2007.
| When to Go: | March to June |
| What You’ll See: | Hardy roses and primroses |
14) Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden, Finland
The Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden is part of the University of Helsinki and has been a municipal garden since 1812. And now the garden is home to a lovely collection of rose bushes.
Kaisaniemi’s rose beds form the borders of the central garden, close to the impressive tropical glasshouses. It’s no surprise that these gorgeous flowers deserve such pride of place. The rose display is at its best during late spring and early summer.
| When to Go: | May to June |
| What You’ll See: | Rose bushes and tropical glasshouse collections |
15) Keisei Rose Garden, Japan
Japanese gardens are always beautiful, but the Keisei Rose Garden is truly exceptional. This extensive collection of roses is located in the city of Yachiyo in Chiba Prefecture. The displays here are exquisite, featuring climbing roses scrambling up pergolas.
Keisei Rose Garden features over 1600 rose varieties, with up to 10,000 fragrant flowers in bloom during the peak season. The displays peak from late spring to early summer or during the fall.
| When to Go: | May to June or October to November |
| What You’ll See: | 10,000 award-winning roses |
16) Lauritzen Gardens, USA
Located in Omaha, Nebraska, Lauritzen Gardens is one of the best botanical gardens in America. One of the stars of the show is the Robert H. Storz Family Rose Garden. This spectacular collection opened in 1997 and features approximately 2000 stunning rose bushes.
The garden contains several varieties, including climbing roses and hybrid tea roses. Visit during late spring or early fall to catch one of the garden’s two peak displays.
| When to Go: | May to June or September to October |
| What You’ll See: | Climbing roses and hybrid tea roses |
17) Margaret Island Rose Garden, Hungary
Budapest’s Margaret Island is one of Hungary’s most popular landscapes. This emerald island sits in the middle of the Danube and contains various attractions, including a beautiful rose garden. The island became a public garden in 1908, with the garden opening in 1927.
The rose garden is situated in the middle of Margaret Island, close to several other attractions like the Palatinus Bath. The display is at its best in late spring and early summer
| When to Go: | May to June |
| What You’ll See: | Roses and shrubs |
18) Nikitsky Botanical Gardens, Ukraine
Also known as the Nikita Botanical Gardens, this incredible collection is located close to the Black Sea. It’s also one of Europe’s oldest botanical gardens, having been established in 1812. The extensive collection includes several types of roses, including English roses and patio roses.
The garden also hosts several events around different flowers throughout the year. These events include the Chrysanthemum Ball in October and November and a tulip festival during the spring.
| When to Go: | May to June |
| What You’ll See: | Roses, chrysanthemums, and tulips |
19) Queen Mary’s Gardens, UK
Queen Mary’s Gardens contains the city’s largest rose garden in the lush expanse of London’s Regents Park. This circular garden features 85 beds that each display a single rose variety. In total, the display produces up to 12,000 roses every year.
Queen Mary’s Gardens also feature several pergolas and trellises supporting several stunning climbing roses. The gardens have been open to the public since 1932. The rose garden was completed and opened two years later.
| When to Go: | May to June |
| What You’ll See: | Roses and begonias |
20) Rose Garden of Bern, Switzerland
Not many gardens offer a panoramic view as good as that of the Rose Garden in Bern, Switzerland. This gorgeous rosarium is perched above Bern’s historic Old Town and the Aare River. The site used to be a cemetery but was converted into a public park in 1913.
The Rose Garden features around 220 different varieties of roses. The rose displays are accompanied by hundreds of irises and nearly 30 rhododendrons.
| When to Go: | Late spring to early summer |
| What You’ll See: | Roses, rhododendrons, and irises |
21) Rosedal de Palermo, Argentina
Palermo is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. Adding to the beauty is the exquisite Rosedal de Palermo. This garden is located within the Parque Tres de Febrero and was completed in 1914.
The Rosedal de Palermo is also an award-winning rose garden. The World Federation of Rose Societies has recognized the garden as an International Garden of Excellence. The park contains approximately 18,000 roses representing nearly 1200 different varieties, including several types of climbing roses and eco-friendly roses.
| When to Go: | May to June |
| What You’ll See: | Award-winning roses |
22) Rosenhöhe Park, Germany
Rosenhöhe Park is a historic rose garden situated in the city of Darmstadt in Central Germany. In the late 19th Century, Grand Duke Ludwig IV took over the area and wanted to create a rosarium. The design combined elements of English and Italian gardens but fell into disrepair. It was then taken over and restored by the city in 1980.
Now, Rosenhöhe Park features approximately 10,000 rose bushes from 200 rose varieties. The park also features several mausoleums and sculptures.
| When to Go: | May to June |
| What You’ll See: | Formal rose beds |
23) Roses Park, Romania
The city of Timisoara in Romania is sometimes known as the “City of Roses”. Fittingly, it also contains one of Eastern Europe’s most beautiful rose gardens. Established in 1891, the park has been extensively redesigned over the decades after damage during the First and Second World Wars.
Roses Park now contains approximately 600 diverse varieties of roses arranged in eight beds. Despite its small size, this charming garden still captivates visitors and locals alike.
| When to Go: | Spring to summer |
| What You’ll See: | Charming rose beds |
24) Roseto Comunale di Roma, Italy
Even during Roman times, Rome’s Aventine Hill was synonymous with flowers. Now, the area contains the Eternal City’s stunning rose garden; the Roseto Comunale. Once a Jewish cemetery, the site was turned into a rose garden in 1950.
Roseto Comunale’s collection contains over 1000 species of roses, including many exquisite Asian species. Some of the highlights include several varieties of the Chinese rose (Rosa chinensis). The garden also provides a breathtaking panoramic view of the city.
| When to Go: | May to June |
| What You’ll See: | Asian roses |
25) San Jose Municipal Rose Garden, USA
Originally established in 1927, the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden is one of California’s best rose gardens. The 5.5-acre plot used to be a pruning orchard but is now one of the All-American Rose Society’s official test gardens.
The garden’s collection includes nearly 190 varieties of roses, the majority of which are hybrid tea roses. In 2010, the garden was recognized as America’s Best Rose Garden in the inaugural contest held by the All-American Rose Society.
| When to Go: | May to June |
| What You’ll See: | Hybrid tea roses |
26) The Butchart Gardens, Canada
Few of Canada’s horticultural attractions can rival the Butchart Gardens in British Columbia. The gardens date back to the early 1900s when Jennie Butchart began building a garden in an exhausted limestone quarry. Now, the 55-acre site includes several themed gardens, including a stunning rose garden.
This wonderful garden features approximately 280 rose varieties including Floribunda roses, hybrid tea roses, and rambling roses. There are also 30 exquisite arches displaying climbing roses.
| When to Go: | May to July |
| What You’ll See: | Floribunda, hybrid tea, and rambling roses |
27) The Gardens of the American Rose Center, USA
It’s no surprise that the headquarters of the American Rose Society features a breathtaking rose garden. The Gardens of the American Rose Center are located in Shreveport, Louisiana. The extensive site features 65 individual rose gardens containing over 20,000 shrubs.
The American Rose Society’s collection includes over 100 varieties of roses. The displays first peak during the spring but experience another wonderful flush of flowers in the fall.
| When to Go: | April to May or September to October |
| What You’ll See: | Over 100 rose varieties |
28) Volksgarten Park, Austria
The Volksgarten Park in Vienna, Austria, was used to form part of the city’s fortifications. However, the walls were destroyed by Napoleon Bonaparte’s armies in 1809. During the rebuilding efforts, the city authorities decided to turn the area into a public park, which opened in 1827.
Now, the Volksgarten Park is famous for its astonishing rose garden. The garden contains approximately 400 rose cultivars, with the collection numbering over 3000 individual shrubs. During late spring and early summer, the park is filled with the wonderful fragrance and vibrant colors of these stunning roses.
| When to Go: | Late spring to early summer |
| What You’ll See: | Fragrant rose shrubs |
29) Westbroekpark Rose Garden, The Netherlands
The Rose Garden in the Westbroekpark of The Hague is one of the most captivating rosariums in the Netherlands. The site is associated with the Dutch Rose Society and is also an international rose testing center.
This fabulous garden is home to 20,000 rose shrubs representing approximately 300 varieties. The collection includes climbing roses, hybrid tea roses, and patio roses. The site has previously hosted international rose trials organized by the World Federation of Rose Societies.
| When to Go: | June and July |
| What You’ll See: | Climbing, hybrid tea, and patio roses |
30) Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, India
Situated in Chandigarh in Northern India, the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden is the largest rose garden in Asia. Named after a former president, this astonishing garden covers more than 30 acres. The garden opened in 1967 but has gradually been expanded.
The Zakir Hussain Rose Garden’s extensive collection includes over 1600 species of roses. In total, over 50,000 rose shrubs form the display. The garden also hosts the annual Rose Festival, usually in February. The site also displays medicinal plants and trees.
| When to Go: | January to March |
| What You’ll See: | Roses and medicinal plants |
Wrapping Up
For many horticultural enthusiasts, rose gardens elicit sheer joy thanks to the stunning colors and fragrances on display. Incredible gardens are found worldwide, including France’s Bagatelle Rose Garden and Germany’s Europa-Rosarium. In the USA, the American Rose Center and San Jose Municipal Rose Garden spring to mind.
Edd is a budding content writer and gardener living in the United Kingdom. He has a bachelor's degree in Creative and Professional Writing and has written for several gardening publications online. He is passionate about nature and sustainability with a focus on gardening and wildlife.