Slightly younger than the festival it hosts, the city's rose garden is 14 acres, making it the nation's largest rose garden. It is one of 15 All-America Rose Selection (AARS) test garden in the United States, and the newest rose varieties are evaluated there over a two-year period. It is owned and operated by the city of Tyler, according to the AARS. The Tyler Rose Garden opened in 1952. It is home to more than 38,000 rose bushes of at least 500 different varieties. They range from tall grafted rose trees to miniature roses, according to the city.
Tyler Rose Garden and Museum
420 Rose Park Drive
Tyler, TX 75702
903-597-3130
www.cityoftyler.org
The AARS works to introduce and promote exceptional roses and has helped make popular such roses as peace, knock out and bonica. The roses are tested and evaluated not only for beauty but also for ease of growth, disease resistance and amount of care, according to the nonprofit association located in Mill Valley, Calif. Roses are judged in a "blind" process and are judged based on novelty, form of buds and open blooms, color throughout the cycle, aging quality, flowering effect, fragrance, stem and cluster form, habit, vigor, foliage, disease resistance and repeat bloom quality, according to the AARS. Selected roses are then patented, planted at the Tyler Rose Garden and others and are designated AARS award winners.
All America Rose Selection
P,O, Box 2612
Mill Valley, CA 94942
415-381-5055
rose.org
In 2003, the Tyler Rose Garden opened a section of more than 300 David Austin rose bushes. The fragrant Austin roses, which come in a variety of colors, are, "reminiscent of traditional English garden roses," according to the city of Tyler. Austin Rose Ltd., recognized for its award-winning roses, has based its U.S. operations in Tyler.
David Austin Roses Ltd.
15059 State Highway 64 W
Tyler, TX 75704
903-526-1800
davidaustinroses.com
This 1-acre section, located in the Tyler Rose Garden's southwest corner, features antique varieties of roses dating to the 1860s, displaying more than 30 varieties of garden roses from the 19th century.
Tyler Rose Garden and Museum
420 Rose Park Drive
Tyler, TX 75702
903-597-3130
texasrosefestival.com
