5 Instagram-Worthy Rose Gardens in Washington State
By Jane Purnell
Ready to run for the roses? You don’t need to go to Kentucky. Just take a picturesque tour of 5 of Washington’s Instagram-worthy public gardens showcasing dozens of varieties of the Queen of Flowers.
Grab your camera: get ready to fill your feed with puns ‘n’ roses.
Whether you’re a rose connoisseur, novice gardener, or running your own nursery, we could all use a splash of color and joy in our Insta-feeds. So snap a garden pic, post the rose, and share the love.
1. Rose Garden at Point Defiance Park – Tacoma
With roses climbing on arbors, a charming wishing well, the Rose Garden Gazebo, and even a rose arch – there’s plenty to enjoy in the Rose Garden within Point Defiance Park. Nestled right near the Vashon Ferry, the park features an acre of stunning rose gardens, one of which has been cared for since 1895. Want the perfect photo? From June through September, more than 1,500 rose bushes are blushing in the park.
Snap some special pics at ‘golden hour’ during the soft light.
The park’s garden includes a lush lawn available for weddings and other events. Colorful blooms surround the rental space, making it the perfect backdrop for your Instagram. If you’re headed there for a wedding or special event, make sure to plan for a colorful, fun, floral photoshoot.
2. Woodland Park Rose Garden – Seattle
A stroll through the Woodland Park Rose Garden will have you thinking you fell into a Jane Austen novel. The park boasts 2.5 acres of formal landscape design and nearly 3,000 roses – of 200 different varieties to boot.
Instead of using pesticides, the park maintains all garden beds with healthy soils, effective watering, and natural lawn care.
If you’ve been trying to break the pesticide use in your gardens back home, you may gain some valuable tips during your visit. Since the garden is pesticide-free, animals at the park’s zoo can snack on staff-picked flowers.
Remember to grab a selfie with the penguins on your way out. .
3. Seattle Rose Society’s Celebration Garden at Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden
The Seattle Rose Society Celebration Garden is one of many at the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden. After smelling the roses, stop by the Sensory Garden, Seike Japanese Garden, and Elda Behm’s Paradise Garden. They’ll look beautiful on Instagram, too.
Check out the garden’s exhibitions and presentations on seasonal rose care, selection, and cultivation. The Seattle Rose Society showcases its up-to-date display of “Top 20 Hybrid Tea Roses for Puget Sound Gardens.
4. Manito Park’s Rose Hill – Spokane
If you’re looking for a rose garden that takes your breath away, head to Manito Park’s Rose Hill in Spokane. The Rose Hill garden features hybrid tea roses, floribunda, and miniature roses. You might even spot some old-fashioned favorites.
The park’s exquisite presentation comes as no surprise. For the past 20 years, the All-America Rose Selections Committee has honored Rose Hill with the Outstanding Maintenance Award.
In 2007, AARS named Rose Hill No. 1 in the nation for Outstanding Display Garden.
Visiting this garden is a trip the whole family can enjoy, too. Manito is a 90-acre public park boasting pristine lawns, playgrounds, and relaxing ponds. Set up a small picnic near the rose beds or grab a bite to eat at the park’s cafe.
5. Centennial Rose Garden – Tumwater
The Centennial Rose Garden in Tumwater is as rich in rosettes as it is in history. The garden grows next to Schmidt House, a home built in 1904 by Olympia Brewing Company founder Leopold and Johanna Schmidt.
The garden, cared for by the Olympia Rose Society, features more than 230 bushes, including over 60 varieties of modern and heritage roses. You’ll also find hybrid teas, Grandiflora, floribunda, and miniature roses.
First Comes Posting, Then Comes the Planting
After touring Washington’s most Instagram-worthy rose gardens, you may be itching to grow one of your own. Use the photos you snapped to reference your favorite rose arrangements, colors, and hybrids for easy inspiration.
Need help with design ideas that will highlight your new rose garden? Hire a local professional landscaper to help with garden installations and custom designs. Planting a 5 ft X 12 ft flower bed in Tacoma typically costs $1,395. If planting a flower bed won’t work in your small yard, consider growing smaller roses in pots like miniatures and minifloras.
Another way to draw inspiration is to discover new gardens and gardeners by using Instagram hashtags like #gardenersofinstagram and #tacomarosesociety.
When you shoot pics of yourself and others in Washington’s rose gardens, don’t forget to smile and say, “Roses!”
Jane Purnell is a freelance writer, photographer, and actor. She earned her B.A. from the University of Virginia and enjoys visiting rose gardens throughout the country.
