The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden

The Gertrude Windsor Garden Club, Zone IX

11/24/2021

The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden is the largest collection of roses in the United States and features more than 32,000 bushes and 600 cultivars. Development of the gardens started with the Works Progress Administration during the Depression but work ceased during WWII. Following the war the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden officially opened in 1952. The roses for the massive garden were donated by local nurseries with the intent of creating a living catalogue and outdoor laboratory for field rose development and production.

The Gertrude Windsor Garden Club successfully restored the original North Entrance to the Garden in the spring of 2017. The original brick wall entrance and arch were hand cleaned and repaired. Landscaping was updated and garden benches were added. The history of the garden’s construction and its original garden designers are featured on an educational plaque at the original entrance site.

In February of 2021 Super Winter Storm Uri hit. For over 8 days our region of Texas was hit by freezing rain, snow and sleet. Temperatures registered below zero in the night hours and would only rise to the single digits during the daytime. Damage estimates from this storm have surpassed Hurricane Harvey.

Funds will be used for replacement of dead roses in the beds surrounding the original north entrance and the roses for the large arbor at the east end of the garden. As soon as funds are available, removal and restoration will begin.