For over 25 years, Portland's Best Rose event has celebrated and promoted the horticultural accomplishments of the world-renowned International Rose Test Garden. With spectacle and celebration, recently introduced rose varietals are evaluated on the day-of event.
Portland’s Best Rose was an exceptional WET day in the rose garden, June 21, 2025! Still, 148 ballots were tallied to determine the best rose and most fragrant rose on that day. Thanks to all who participated!
• All Dressed Up (Grandiflora, A57) — 2025 Portland’s Best Rose, Christian Bedard hybridizer.
• Make Me Blush (Hybrid Tea, A68) — 2025 Portland’s Best Rose Runner Up, Tom Carruth hybridizer.
• Fashion Forward (Floribunda, A60) — 2025 Most Fragrant, Christian Bedard hybridizer.
Portland Rose Society's Gold Medal Award
Since 1919, the Portland Rose Society has maintained a high-quality and well sought-after awards program. This annual award is presented to rose varieties that demonstrate superior results when grown in the Pacific Northwest region. Every distinguished variety is honored with inclusion in the Gold Award Garden, International Rose Test Garden in WA Park.
Gold Medal Winners 1919 — 2023
2024 Gold Medal Award Recipient:
BURST OF JOY (floribunda, Tom Carruth hybridizer)
2023 Gold Medal Award Recipients:
EASY SPIRIT (floribunda, Tom Carruth hybridizer, introduced by Weeks Roses)
STILETTO (hybrid tea, Alain Meilland hybridizer, introduced by Edmunds Roses)
ALL DRESSED UP
FASHION FORWARD
American Garden Rose Selections — TESTING PROGRAM
The International Rose Test Garden is one of multiple gardens from all across the country participating in the AGRS™ program. Each garden plants roses that are being considered for the award of American Garden Rose Selections™. Over a period of two years, the roses are evaluated for characteristics you would like in a garden rose. Disease-resistance is highly valued along with other criteria including flowering effect/bloom abundance, bloom form and attractiveness, fragrance, rebloom habit, aging quality of blooms, hardiness in cold and heat, vigor, foliage proportion and attractiveness, and plant habit. Adaptations are made to account for the wide range of climates and growing conditions in the United States .