5.5 acres of green lawns embellished with a wide-spread color palette of flora… sounds like something out of a dream? Good news, you can make your dreams come true by visiting the Municipal Rose Garden. With more than 3,500 planted rose bushes, the Municipal Rose Garden sees thousands of visitors each year.

What is the history behind the garden?

In 1927, the city council of San Jose decided to convert 5.5 acres of 11-acre land for a rose garden. The roses were to be provided to the city by the Rose Society; and the Rose Garden bloomed. Work on the garden continued for six years, from 1931 to 1937- the Rose Garden was officially inaugurated on April 7, 1937.

The Municipal Rose Garden is still maintained by the city of San Jose and is often used as a wedding venue because of its marvelous scenery. It’s also surrounded by redwood trees and champions a natural grass stage. Some other features that you can enjoy at the garden include a reflection pool, a water fountain, and other donations such as rose beds and an arbor.

What to expect at the Municipal Rose Garden?

You are in for a treat if you visit the garden in early May, when the roses are in full bloom and in their most majestic phase. Other best times to visit are between April and November. In fact, give the climate in San Jose there are hardly a handful of days when some species are not in full bloom.

Many people who visit the rose garden on a regular basis say that they feel a sense of calmness as they enter this space. Along with this serene atmosphere, you can also look forward to the sweet smell that comes with all the roses. Many locals choose to picnic in the garden amongst the roses, or host gatherings at the tables provided for parties or reunions.

The garden exclusively showcases shrubs from the rose family and features more than 4000 rose shrubs in 189 varieties and 75% of the plantings are hybrid-teas.

If you are fascinated by the variations that a flora’s single stem can offer, you can expect to see blooms such as floribundas, which showcase a cluster of blooms on just one stem, and even grandifloras which measure taller than the hybrid teas and showcase solo and cluster blooms on one stock. Other wonders that will catch your eye are miniature roses, climbers, and creepers.

This rose garden studies a variation of newly hybridized roses as well as different rose variations. The All-American Rose Selections rates the new varieties according to health, color, form and shape of bloom, and more. After they have been tested and they pass approval, they are declared to be adored by the public.

Are there any activities you can enjoy at the garden?

Other than stopping to smell the roses, the garden allows picnics in the dedicated picnic area, which is non-reservable and can be occupied upon vacancy. You can even grill on their provided barbecues.

If you are unable to grab a picnic spot, there are neighboring parks that have picnic spots and more amenities but may be subject to charges.

Entry to the Municipal Rose Garden is free and they operate every day of the week from 8 am to half an hour after sunset (remember to confirm timings according to when you are planning to visit). There is on-street parking near the garden that is within walking distance from the entry gate.

We hope this guide has helped you add a stop to your itinerary for when you are in San Jose, California. If you visit the Municipal Rose Garden, make sure to stop by and shop with us at Airfield Supply Company. We are a one-stop shop for all your cannabis needs. You can pick and choose from a variety of accessories, merchandise, and even CBD infused beverages, we have it all. You can place an order online and pick it up at your convenience.

We aim to deliver the highest quality products in a stress-free setting with education and sustainability as key components of our mission. Visit us at 1190 Coleman Ave, San Jose, CA 95110.