MSU landscape architect Darryl Ray designed the garden. Volunteers from the Oktibbeha County Rose Society and the Oktibbeha County Master Gardener Program planted the first roses at the site.

Most of the rose cultivars at the garden are developed either by Jackson and Perkins on 'Dr. Huey' understock or are cultivars grown on fortuniana rootstock. Some of the cultivars grown on fortuniana rootstock were developed by Louisiana hybridizer Eddie Edwards. These plants have good resistance to heat stress and plant diseases common in Mississippi.

James Mills
Rose grafter, James Mills of Buckatunna, MS,
Two major supporters of MSU's horticulture programs donated most of the rose cultivars in the garden. Well-known Mississippi rosarian James Mills, owner of K and M Nursery in Buckatunna, donated plants, as well as time and talent to the establishment of the garden. Jackson and Perkins, a national full-service nursery, provided plants and other support for the garden. The company's efforts have been coordinated by its north Mississippi sales representative, Dave Shanklin, a graduate of the MSU horticulture program.