The Columbus Park of Roses is a Must See Destination for Summer

The Columbus Park of Roses in Whetstone Park is a true gem of the city and a must-see destination each summer!

If you’ve lived in Columbus, Ohio long enough you might have a little alarm bell that goes off in the beginning of June – a reminder that it’s almost time for the roses in the Columbus Park of Roses to reach their peak!

If you don’t have that little alarm bell, then what more than likely happens is that you start to see pictures of the roses float around social media and then a little panic starts to creep up that you’ve already missed it!

Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, the blooming of the roses is a much anticipated event and is something that everyone in Columbus should see at least once! The Park of Roses is like a fairytale land filled with roses of every variety and color and if you happen to visit at its peak, you won’t be disappointed!

Where is the Columbus Park of Roses?

The technical address of the park is 3901 N. High St. in Columbus. You can find the Columbus Park of Roses inside Whetstone Park in the Clintonville neighborhood. Whetstone Park includes a library, recreation center, playgrounds, athletic fields, tennis courts, fishing, picnic pavilions, a prairie, a shelter house and the Park of Roses! Whetstone Park is on the west side of High Street and the Park of Roses is somewhat in the middle of the park.

• Related: 12 Columbus Parks to Try This Summer

What can I Expect to see at the Columbus Park of Roses?

The Formal Rose Garden is what makes up the heart of the park. However, there are some other side gardens to check out as well including the Backyard Garden, Perennial Garden and Herb Garden. At the back of the park is the Heritage Rose Garden which features roses cultivated before 1867!

The Herb Garden features over 100 herbs and the Backyard Garden is meant to be an inspiration to all of us home gardeners giving us ideas of things to plant at in our own gardens!

The park opened in 1953 and was the home of the American Rose Society for over 20 years! The Columbus Park of Roses is now maintained by Columbus Recreation and Parks Department and volunteers from the Columbus Park of Roses Foundation.

• Related: 3 of the Most Unique Parks in Columbus Ohio

When do the Roses Bloom?

Here are a few things I learned from the Park of Roses website about when and how the roses bloom:

• Peak bloom is typically the second week of June. (Most of my pictures in this post were taken on June 16, 2020.)
• A cooler spring delays the blooms.
• Above normal temperatures with normal rain will increase the frequency of the blooms of the modern roses.
• Below average rainfall and hot temperatures will reduce the frequency of the blooms.

Tips for Visiting the Columbus Park of Roses:

The park is open daily from 7:00 AM until dusk and is totally free to visit! There is plenty of parking available. You will see the sign that says Columbus Park of Roses at the edge of the parking lot and the actual Rose Garden is up the hill, behind the shelter house. It won’t be very visible from the parking lot!

More Parks to Visit in Columbus:

• Inniswood Metro Gardens
• Schiller Park
• Topiary Park
• 12 Columbus Parks to Try This Summer

Want more ideas? Check out Over 100 Fun Things to do in Columbus, Ohio!

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