Other Gardens in the Park

In addition to the 3 rose gardens, The Park of Roses is home to several other
interesting gardens.

Herb Garden

The Columbus Horticultural Society was organized in 1845 and has remained active in the horticultural life of Columbus to this day. In 1976, the group was approached by the City of Columbus and asked to design and plant an herb garden in the Park of Roses.

The Herb Garden has been maintained continuously since then by the physical and financial contributions of its members, as well as financial support from the Rose Foundation. The Herb Garden was completely renovated in 2001 and includes collections of medicinal and culinary herbs. Plants are sold to help with garden maintenance and new volunteers are welcome.

For more information, contact herbgarden@parkofroses.org.

Perennial Garden

This garden is maintained by Northview Buckeye Garden Club and volunteers. The
eight sections of the garden were renewed most recently in 2008. Smaller flowering
trees replaced large, overgrown specimens. The club planted new perennials with financial help from the Rose Foundation. A rock garden is being developed this year.

Volunteers are encouraged to just show up with a trowel between 3:30-6:00 pm on
Wednesday afternoons to help. For more information: Cal McCall at 614.895.2572
or Karen Martens at 614.261.0143.

Whetstone Prairie

In 2003, the City of Columbus contacted the local chapter of a group that promotes the
use of native plants in landscapes. The desire was to convert 5 1/2 acres of bottomland near the Olentangy River from soggy fields to an approximation of an original Ohio prairie.

After researching the varieties of forbs and grasses that would constitute a prairie ecosystem, sources for local seeds were identified and plans made to plant the area
in 3 phases. Two vernal ponds were created and existing vegetation removed. Grants and donations funded the project.

Phase I was planted in late 2004 and by summer of 2005, the prairie began to bloom. Phases II and III followed and now Whetstone Prairie is a mature example of the
beauty and diversity of native plants.

For more information and to volunteer for scheduled maintenance sessions,
call Craig Peterson at 614.263.9468.