Veterans Memorial Rose Garden | Mississippi State University

Several Classes of Roses

Roses are among the most popular additions to home landscapes, and the Veterans Memorial Rose Garden at Mississippi State University provides a panorama of traditional and new rose varieties. The garden is located at the Highway 182 entrance to the R. Rodney Foil Plant Science Research Facility. Rose planting at the site began during spring 2006. By fall 2007, construction was complete, and more than 30 rose cultivars were established at the garden.

The Veterans Memorial Rose Garden includes several classes of roses including Hybrid Tea, Grandiflora, Floribunda, Shrub, and Ground Cover.

Garden Features

The Veterans Memorial Rose Garden offers several features such as:

A Central Gazebo
Raised-brick Planting Beds Encircling The Gazebo
Paved Walkways Through The Beds
An Arched Bridge Connecting The Site To A Visitor Parking Lot

Three Arbors
Ornate Brick And Steel Fence
Americans With Disabilities Act Compliant

Activities

The garden is used for a variety of activities.

Teaching

A teaching resource for the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences.

Research

A research site for MSU students and MAFES scientists.

Programs

A place for MSU programs for garden clubs and other organizations.

Outreach

Many outreach opportunities including self-guided tours by the public.

Rose Grafter, James Mills of Buckatunna, MS

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.

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.

Get in Touch

For further information about the veterans memorial rose garden.

Guihong Bi
Director Of Gardens
Box 9555
Mississippi State, MS 39762

Email: gb250@msstate.edu

Phone: 662.325.2403

Link with Us

Mississippi Old Garden Rose Society

American Rose Society

Flower Gardening - Roses

Extension Publication P2746
Notes from the Veterans Memorial Rose Garden