Memorial Day weekend is a time to celebrate our freedoms and honor the veterans who have served to ensure those freedoms remain the foundation of our country. What better place to stroll and reflect on these thoughts than the Columbus Park of Roses.

In fact, the garden honors our country’s patriotic heritage in a couple ways. A bronze plaque, located near the flagpole at the garden’s entrance, is dedicated to veterans who have sacrificed their lives to preserve our freedoms and defend freedom throughout the world. Among the garden’s 538 rose varieties, many of them have names bearing patriotic themes:

American Flagship – red hybrid tea – WME*

Honor – white hybrid tea – FNW

Let Freedom Ring – red hybrid tea – WME

Navy Lady – red shrub rose – FNW

Memorial Day – orchid pink hybrid tea (pictured) – FNE

Peace – yellow hybrid tea – NA

Top Gun – red shrub rose – EKG

Veterans Honor – red hybrid tea – FSW

Wild Blue Yonder – lavender grandiflora – WME

The Heritage Rose Garden, located at the east end of the CPOR, is currently at peak bloom. These are varieties cultivated before 1867 and predecessors to many modern roses. The Formal Rose Garden, with more than 11,000 predominately hybrid tea varieties, is expected to be in full bloom in the next couple weeks. Some roses are open, but many are still in bud form.

Make a point to come and enjoy the garden’s stunning display of reds, whites and hues of blue (pinks, yellows and oranges, too!) over the next several weeks. It’s a treat of color and fragrance you’re bound to enjoy. And don’t miss the serenity of our perennial and herb gardens as well as the entire arboretum setting while you’re here.

*For locations of these roses in the garden: from the Home page, click on the Visit drop down in the header > Self Guided Tours > Park of Roses map, then find directional initials indicated.