San Jose Heritage Rose Garden

The San Jose Heritage Rose Garden is an unexpected jewel in the midst of a revitalized downtown San Jose, California; a five-acre rose garden that contains 4,000 plants. How did this happen?

In 1987 San Jose Mayor McEnery initiated turning land cleared for airport safety, a weed infested eyesore, into a central park for San Jose.

In 1988, Tom Liggett was approached by Lorrie Freeman, "The Mother of Guadalupe Gardens" and avid rosarian, to develop a competitive proposal for a rose garden in the area. His concept grew from an initial half-acre plot to a full city block.

In 1992, Tom's proposal for a San Jose Heritage Rose Garden was selected and funded by the San Jose City Council. Local Councilmember David Pandori steered the garden safely through the political shoals.

The Garden is in the shape of a large bowl, the center of which is 5 feet deep. This allows the observer to see every single plant from every place in the garden. Inside the garden are six large diamond- shaped sections, each containing a basic class of roses.

Mission

To preserve old roses and make them available to nurseries and the public.

Company Overview

The San Jose heritage Rose Garden has the most varieties of roses of any public garden in the United States, and more than 3000 plants representing all classes of roses.

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