Since Tyler’s claim to fame is the “Rose Capital of the Nation,” the Tyler Rose Garden is a popular landmark many Tylerites like to showcase to out of town guests. Almost 40,000 rose bushes including about 500 varieties of every imaginable hue cover the 14-acre municipal park.
Avid gardeners will enjoy viewing not-yet-patented hardy varieties of roses in the trial garden and gathering new gardening ideas in the award winning IDEA garden. The Heritage Garden allows visitors to step into the past by viewing antique rose varieties, some more than 140 years old. While the roses are the obvious centerpiece, detailed landscaping, simple architecture, meandering pathways, sparkling fountains, reflection pools, quiet seating areas, and many other multi-season plants, provide a year-round spectacle for both young and old alike.
The Tyler Rose Garden is a kid-friendly park. Just be sure to keep your young adventurer on a short leash in case the fountains and shallow pools prove to be an irresistible magnet. Also, remind your young romantics or budding biologists to leave the flowers untouched for other visitors to enjoy.
The Rose Garden is a gorgeous site for weddings, receptions, parties, family gatherings, senior pictures, and photo-opportunities of all kinds. The charming wooden gazebo, colorful floral displays, rustic stonework, and serene reflection pools offer a variety of great backdrops. Call (903) 531-1213 for reservations or for rental information.[ad#large-blog-block]
The Garden is open from dawn until dark, seven days a week, except when occasional pest and disease control requires temporary closure. Best time to visit? The roses typically display their full glory in the spring and during the Rose Garden’s peak season in mid October. Each year, in mid October, the Tyler Rose Garden becomes a focal point of the Texas Rose Festival which draws thousands of visitors during a four-day event-filled Rose Show.
Check out the exhibits at the Tyler Rose Museum right next to the park for a peek into Tyler’s past. The museum chronicles the how Tyler gained its fame as the “Rose Capitol of the Nation” and how the Rose Festival became such a celebrated historical event. “The Attic of Memories” display transports visitors into the past for a taste of every day life in Smith County during the last 100 years. Dazzling, hand-sewn gowns and jewel-studded crowns worn by past Rose Queens create an unforgettable display. Museum hours are Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; and Sunday 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop on your way out to pick up Texas souvenirs, gifts for the gardener on your list, and other “Rose Capital” memorabilia.
Whether you’re looking for a beautiful backdrop for a special event or a quiet spot to get away from the busyness, the Tyler Rose Garden offers a lovely haven.
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