Rose Shows Presented by the Portland Rose Society
What is a Rose Show?
Rose shows are an opportunity for participants to exhibit their finest roses and display the rose in its most perfect form. Trained judges will review the submissions, and based on different criteria and categories, award winning ribbons. Categories vary from miniatures, sprays, fragrance, arrangements, and more. Guidelines for judging are available, as well as tips from other Rose Society members.
Rose Show Rules & Judging Guidelines
When Are The Rose Shows?
The Portland Rose Society holds three Rose Shows each year.
Our Spring Rose Show takes place Thursday and Friday before the Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade. This year's dates are June 5 and 6, 2025. Our host is the Lloyd Center Mall, where we exhibit blooms on the second floor above the famous ice skating rink. We proudly proclaim that this is the largest rose show in the country! Dozens of exhibitors proudly bring their beautiful entries, placed in several hundred vases containing even more gorgeous roses.
Our All Miniature Rose Show is literally smaller with only miniature, micro-mini, and miniflora classes. The historic Pittock Mansion is the site of this unique event, previously the home of our founder, Georgiana Pittock, in 1889. The winning roses are displayed in the elegant second floor Music Room, with its spectacular east view of Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, and often other volcanoes. This Rose Show is held on the first Saturday of August, which is August 2nd this year.
Our third Rose Show takes place on September 13-14, 2025. This lovely show takes place in the Washington Square Mall, in a bright corridor near the elevators. Lots of shoppers marvel at the numerous, varied colors, sizes and forms of the roses. Exhibitors have hundreds of vases available to show off their prized blooms, hoping to earn a ribbon or a coveted place on the trophy stand.
Who Can Enter?
The short answer: Anyone is welcome to enter! Rose shows are open to the public. You do not have to be a member or pay a fee to enter. No advance registration is needed, just show up with your garden’s best blooms.
Novices and Juniors are welcome, and these classes are judged by more relaxed guidelines. There is no age limit, so kids can enter the Junior class! Just make sure you review the guidelines to familiarize yourself with the best practices.
How Do I Enter My Roses?
The morning of the show, plan to get to the mall early, usually between 6:00am - 9:45am, with your roses in tow. Many people transport their cut roses in buckets, along with a toolkit of cotton swabs, various-sized pruners, and a few other bits and bobs that may help your presentation.
Vases for entries are provided. Prep your entry, fill out your entry tag, and cross your fingers! Our friends at the Seattle Rose Society have a wonderfully helpful guide to help you know how to come prepared. Check out their guide to rose shows here.
