Showcasing 3,000 plants in 100 different varieties, the Lyndale Park Rose Garden is the second oldest public rose garden in the United States. Located near the northeast corner of Lake Harriet, it was designed by MPRB Superintendent Theodore Wirth and constructed in 1907-08. The oldest public rose garden in the nation, located in Hartford, CT, was also designed by Wirth and constructed in 1903-04 during his park tenure there.
The 1.5 acre garden was designated an official All America Rose Selections (AARS) test rose garden in 1946. The Heffelfinger Fountain graces the patio at the rose garden.
The garden is a popular site for outdoor weddings. For information on weddings and permits call 612-230-6400.
Peak Display Time: The roses typically begin blooming in mid-June and last until early-October.
The White House Connection
Theodore Wirth became known around the country for his achievement in rose culture and as the father of public rose gardens. His son, Conrad (Connie), inherited his father’s love and talent for landscape architecture. Connie went on to become the Director of National Parks in the Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson administrations.
It was during the Kennedy administration that Connie Wirth made his impact on the White House grounds. When asked by the Kennedy’s to improve the aged and weed-filled grounds outside the Oval Office and create a rose garden, Wirth turned to his father’s archives, which included detailed plans for both public and private rose gardens. He directed the design and development of the White House Rose Garden with his team of landscape designers and architects at the National Park Service.
Since its creation during the Kennedy administration, the White House Rose Garden is where U.S. presidents and heads of state have gathered for official press conferences and ceremonies for over 45 years.
