Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangiana)
This year’s National Arbor Day is Friday, April 28
Yes, the Columbus Park of Roses is also an accredited arboretum!
Planted with more than 140 different tree and shrub species, the park was awarded this designation by the international ArbNet organization in 2016. Criteria included the extent of varieties in the park and its commitment to promoting trees as a valued component of conservation and environmental practices.
With our unusually warm spring, the park’s many deciduous trees and shrubs are already blossoming or leafing out. All the shades of spring green — as well as interesting leaf shapes and seed pods — are on dramatic display across the park’s wonderful panoramas. The park’s unusual collection of conifers provides a striking backdrop for all this new growth.
Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas)
Treat yourself to a self-guided tour
You can download a list of the park’s outstanding assortment of trees and shrubs along with a location map. Both are also posted on kiosks throughout the park. You can walk the park’s paved paths (one mile overall) or feel free to meander across the park’s entire 13 acres.
The origin of National Arbor Day
Official recognition evolved through the efforts of pioneer Sterling Morton when he relocated to the barren Nebraska Territory in 1854, and missed the lush tree canopies of Detroit. Once Morton became editor of Nebraska’s leading newspaper, he used this forum to promote the importance of trees, which inspired vast plantings statewide.
“Other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future.”
J. Sterling Morton
Julius Sterling Morton
The movement took hold, and by 1885 Arbor Day had become a national effort for individuals and civic groups to honor trees through meaningful activities. You can learn more about the history and current efforts at www.arborday.org.
If you enjoy walking in the park throughout the year, please consider joining the garden volunteers, who work from April through September.
Blog post written by Martha Wiles, Foundation board member. For more photos of spring flowering trees in the Park of Roses, see our Facebook page, with pictures courtesy of Karen Martens, Foundation board member.
Hi – I work for a local retirement community and I have often brought a group to the special Saturday in June when there are artists and activities going on. I have not been able to find a date for that this year. If you can provide this information, I would like to get it on my schedule. Thank you!
Hello Barbara,
I recently began helping to maintain the Park of Roses Website and noticed you had sent a comment a year ago and not gotten an answer! So very sorry. It is very late in the game, but perhaps you might still be interested in an answer. We are no longer having that event. Instead, we have been trying to promote the park year around. You might be interested to check our Friends of Columbus Park of Roses Facebook page, if you use facebook. We try to keep information on there about what is happening in the park. I do hope you will come visit the park at your convenience. Last year, we got new pillars at the West entrance. They are very nice. The first peak bloom of roses is usually in mid June; but, the Heritage roses in that part of the garden come earlier, in May. Again, sorry, your question was missed.
Karen