Hundreds of Rose Varieties on Display at Tallinn Rose Days
Text Timo Raussi Photos Tallinn Botanic Garden
July is the peak flowering season for garden roses, which is why Tallinn Botanic Garden is organising special Rose Days from 18–26 July. For one week, visitors can explore one of Estonia’s largest rose collections, located just a short bus ride from the city centre, behind Pirita next to the TV Tower.
The centrepiece of the event is the garden’s recently renovated rose garden, which was originally opened to the public in 1963. Following its renovation, the area is now home to more than 700 rose varieties representing both Estonian and international breeding work. The collection includes varieties from countries such as France, Germany, Denmark and Japan.
During Rose Days, both classic rose varieties that have been popular for decades and newer introductions are at their most impressive. Their colours, growth patterns and flower shapes demonstrate the remarkable diversity of the rose as a plant family. More than 50,000 cultivated rose varieties are currently known worldwide.
In addition to admiring the roses, visitors can also purchase rose plants to take home. During Rose Days, well-known Estonian rose growers Rein Joost and Roosoja Nursery will sell plants every day from 11:00 to 16:00. On the opening day, visitors will be entertained at 14:00 by the trumpet-and-guitar duo Allan Järve and Teet Raik. On the Saturday of the following weekend, the atmosphere will be created at the same time by singer-songwriter and guitarist Robert Jürjendal.
The Estonian-language programme of Rose Days also includes guided tours of the rose garden. The schedule can be checked on the event programme page. Visitors can also borrow a free audio guide from the garden’s visitor centre, providing information about plants in both the outdoor areas and greenhouses in Finnish and English. The visitor centre café and the two cafés in the Palm House offer refreshments and light snacks.
Tallinn Botanic Garden and the TV Tower can be reached from the city centre by buses 34 and 38, at the “Kloostrimetsa” stop. The garden’s outdoor areas are open daily until the end of September from 9:00 to 21:00. The self-service ticket machines at the entrance close one hour earlier.
Tallinn Botanic Garden was established on the edge of the Pirita River valley in 1961. Its greenhouses, Palm House, and 40 hectares of outdoor areas are home to approximately 8500 plant species. The garden’s mission is to promote environmentally conscious thinking and support the appreciation and development of garden and landscape design.
To learn more about this and similar topicsaudio guide Botanic Garden events Gardening Pirita plant sales Rose Days Tallinn
