A quiet place to stop and smell the roses; Anchorage’s Centennial Rose Garden is almost 60 years old

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - At almost 60 years old, the Centennial Rose Garden in Anchorage is an oasis of flowers. It was created in 1967 to celebrate of the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867.

The Alaska Rose Society was also created in 1967. Its purpose: care for the rose garden. From mid-May until mid-October, a group of volunteers meet every Tuesday afternoon to care for the flowers.

The roses are just budding now. They typically hit their peak bloom around the 4th of July. But there are other flowers planted among the roses, so blossoms can be found all summer long.

Well known to area gardeners, the discovery of the rose garden comes as a surprise to some. It’s located at the west end of Anchorage’s Delaney Park Strip. It’s a quiet place to stop and smell the roses.

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