The Raleigh Rose Garden in May 2021.
About the Rose Garden
Listed as a Unique Venue with the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department, the Raleigh Rose Garden is open to the public from dawn to dusk, 7 days a week. The Raleigh Rose Garden was dedicated in 1951, the finishing touch to the WPA landmark Raleigh Little Theatre campus. Since then, the Raleigh Rose Garden has offered a year-round display of roses, trees, and perennials.
One of three accredited rose gardens in North Carolina, the grounds include sixty rose beds with varieties of hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras, miniatures, and antique roses, surrounded by an arboretum of evergreen and deciduous trees. As a good rule of thumb, the roses are typically in bloom between Mother’s Day and the first hard freeze of the season, normally around mid-November.
Learn more: A History of The Raleigh Rose Garden
Reference documents (PDF format):
- Raleigh Rose Garden updated rose list (2021, Excel file)
- Raleigh Rose Garden Rose List and Map of Beds (Updated 2018)
- Raleigh Rose Garden Perennials List (2016)
- Raleigh Rose Garden Tree List and Map (Updated Summer 2018)
Visiting the Rose Garden
The Raleigh Rose Garden is located behind Raleigh Little Theatre at 301 Pogue Street, Raleigh, NC 27607. The garden is a City of Raleigh park and is open dawn to dusk, 365 days a year. Visiting the garden is free and does not require any type of reservation. There are no public restrooms, and during rentals/special events, certain areas may be restricted.
Very limited parking spaces are available next to the garden, including two parking spaces for cars with disability placards. The majority of parking is located along Pogue Street. Please only park in designated spaces – do not park along the small road between the theatre and the garden. Learn more about visiting and parking here!
Please do not cut or pick any roses during your visit.
Interested in scoping out the garden before visiting in person? Take a virtual tour of the Raleigh Rose Garden here.
Photography & Rentals
Picnics, proposals, and prom pictures are all welcome here – no reservations or fees required!
Professional photographers are welcome to have sessions at the park, however, all commercial film or photography taking place in a City of Raleigh Park requires a permit. You can apply for an annual film permit directly through the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department. This is a one year permit and covers all City of Raleigh Parks. Tag the Raleigh Rose Garden on Facebook or location tag us on Instagram to share your pictures!
The garden can also be reserved for special occasions and is ideal for small, simple events. The fountain, the arbor, and the stone shelter offer lovely settings for wedding ceremonies and other gatherings. For information on pricing, availability and more, visit our Event Rentals page.
Volunteer at the Rose Garden
The Raleigh Rose Garden enjoys excellent stewardship and care from the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department. In addition, a group of specialized volunteers support the upkeep of the beds. Please stop to smell the roses and say a word of thanks when you see these people in the garden.
If you would like to volunteer for this year-long commitment, notify volunteer services by visiting the Raleigh Parks Volunteer Program webpage and clicking on “Raleigh Rose Garden Volunteer” under “Greater Commitment Opportunities.”
The Raleigh Rose Garden in September 2022.
A bird’s-eye view of the Stephenson Amphitheatre and Raleigh Rose Garden