For over 25 years, Portland’s Best Rose event has celebrated and promoted the horticultural accomplishments of the world-renowned International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park.
With spectacle and celebration, recently introduced rose varietals are evaluated on the day-of event. June 22, 2026 was a gloriously sunny day in the rose garden. Over 200 ballots were collected to determine the best rose and most fragrant rose on that day. Fifteen rose varieties were selected for judging.
Portland’s Best Rose 2026: SUNSET HORIZON (floribunda). Alan Meiland, hybridizer, Star Roses & Plants
2026 Most Fragrant: VIOLET’S PRIDE (floribunda). Christian Bedard, hybridizer, Weeks Roses
Sunset Horizon
Violet’s Pride
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.
2025 Gold Medal Award Recipient: TEQUILLA SUPREME (floribunda, Meilland hybridizer, offered by Star Roses & Plants)
2024 Gold Medal Award Recipients: 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)