June's in Full Bloom at the Sorosis Rose Garden

Veteran's Memorial Rose Garden at Sorosis Park — Betty Boop's fresh blossoms are nearly neon now, aging beautifully to pale pink centers with dark pink edges. Photo by Dana Greyson

By Dana Greyson

The Dalles, Ore., June 8, 2026 — Despite rain and some cooler temperatures, it looks like summer has arrived ahead of schedule. By late May, a quarter of the roses in the Veteran's Memorial Rose Garden had already shifted from bud to bloom. Now nearly every one of the garden's almost 400 rose bushes is flowering. Some have already needed deadheading — the removal of spent blossoms.

Betty Boop's fresh blossoms are nearly neon now, aging beautifully to pale pink centers with dark pink edges. Maybe you prefer the luscious pink tea rose Elle, the buttery-gold Julia Child, or the eye-catching dusky plum-purple Ebb Tide. Pay homage among the tall, stately rows of red Veteran's Honor. Discover what Heavenly Scented actually smells like.

Find your favorite. Many of the roses are labeled.

Some of the roses will continue blooming until the first frost. But time flies, so don't wait. Garden volunteers may trim some plants before the season ends to prevent branches from becoming wind-whipped later in the year. Visitors can also enjoy panoramic views from Sorosis Park, with Mount Adams to the north and Mount Hood to the south, while taking in the colors and fragrances of the garden.

The deer, who find roses quite tasty, have already begun their own inexpert pruning efforts.

A visit might even inspire gardeners to lend a hand. Rose expertise is not required — only a willingness to learn. Those interested in helping maintain the garden can contact the Wasco County Master Gardeners at 541-298-3577 by phone or text, or email Hilary.Jensen@oregonstate.edu.

The weather should cooperate for visitors over the next couple of days, despite calls for rain. According to the National Weather Service, Tuesday will bring a 40% chance of morning showers before skies gradually clear, with a high near 67 degrees and breezy west winds gusting as high as 32 mph. Wednesday is expected to be sunny and pleasant, with a high near 70 degrees and light winds.

For rose lovers, the combination of fresh blooms, cooler temperatures and sunshine later in the week may make this one of the best times of the season to visit the garden before summer heat arrives in earnest.