Entrance

Roses are red, violets are blue… but these flowers play a part in their ecosystem too. Roses are often a symbol of love, beauty, and innocence. We give these flowers to show our affection for one another, throw petals in celebration, and use them for decoration in countless events. However, roses are first and foremost a plant, thriving and participating in its own ecosystem. Today we are at the Woodland Park Rose Garden, just across from the Woodland Park Zoo. This garden is free and open to the public every day. It was formed by the Seattle Rose Society in the early 1900’s, with a purpose of “providing a free, public display of roses suitable for Seattle's climate.” A brief history of the garden can be found near the entrance, as well as the Woodland Park Zoo website.

As we walk in, we see over 200 species of roses spread throughout the site, representing a large amount of biodiversity for such a small park. In the middle of the garden is a large fountain, acting as a centerpiece. Behind it, we see a small gazebo. To the left is an array of rose bushes, as well as a long, rectangular pool. To the right are even more beautifully landscaped rose plots. Of course, the view is much better in the spring when all the flowers start to bloom. This garden is nicely landscaped to prioritize the growth and health of the roses, rather than the people who visit. There are not many paths to walk on, but the grass looks like no one has ever stepped foot through it.

Each plot of roses is labeled, and there are signs throughout the site to educate garden-goers on how the roses are maintained. But what really goes into the maintenance of this garden? What challenges to these beautiful roses face? Throughout this tour, we will discover the deeper workings of roses as we travel deeper into the garden.

We will begin by heading to the right, where we will find an area with plaques numbered 1-5. These signs will give us our first insight of how a garden is taken care of.