Morcom Rose Garden

Opened in the late 1920s, this eight-acre municipal rose garden features more than 6,000 rose bushes of all varieties. Bloom season is late April through October. Visitors will see winding walkways, a reflecting pool, graceful stairways and fountain cascades. The Morcom Rose Garden has thousands of exotic roses that are in bloom from Mother’s Day in May through October 31st.The Amphitheatre of Roses in the garden is an enchanting location for weddings, renewals, memorial celebrations and ceremonies. The Garden is wheelchair accessible. History of the Morcom Rose Garden The Morcom Rose garden was originally called the Morcom Amphitheater of Roses, reflecting one of the key design elements conceived by Arthur Cobbledick, the Landscape Architect who created the garden plan in the 1930s. Fortunately Arthur's son Bruce Cobbledick, a garden activist in Oakland, donated the original garden drawings and his knowledge of the garden to fill out the garden's history. Beginning in 1932, as an inspiration of the Businessmen’s Breakfast Club, Oakland's Morcom Rose Garden has a history of cooperation and partnership. In response to a culture shaped by The Depression, the garden was designed to highlight the extravagant roses in formal gardens surrounded by a rugged natural setting. Mayor Frank Morcom planted the first rose in 1933. And for nearly eight decades the Morcom Rose Garden has offered Oakland a stimulating and restful place. Here is a brief history of this garden's design and modifications. Key facts include the following: - 1911-1915: Land identified and acquired by the City of Oakland used as open space - 1932: Inspiration for the Rose Garden from the Businessmen’s Garden Club, Dr. Charles Vernon Covell (president) and Arthur Cobbledick (club member and Landscape Architect), with color design from James Cobbledick (decorator) and Professor F.H. Meyer of the California School of Arts and Crafts - 1933: First rose planted by Mayor Frank Morcom - 1948: First modifications were made in a 're-work' by Parks Director William Penn Mott to remove lawn walks in the 'Florentine oval' to streamline maintenance. The 1948 plan for this work has not been located. - 1954: Two 'walks' were added: the Pioneer Walk along the top of the Florentine oval and the Mothers Walk between the reflecting pool and the Florentine oval. There were 125 climbing roses installed on the Pioneer Walk along a chain around the top of the overlook — none of these roses appear to remain. It isn't clear from the documentation what constituted the Mothers Walk plantings. Today there are tree roses along the Mothers Walk (several are in need of replacement). - 50s: 'Pride of Oakland' roses, a commercial test rose, were planted at the Wedding Terrace by Head gardener George Shiraki. - 1995: a major refurbishment and replanting was undertaken, guided by the East Bay Rose Society and Ed Wilkinson, a part time parks employee and Rosarian. This work was accomplished with great respect for the original design. MEETINGS & EVENTS The Amphitheatre of Roses is deeply nestled in a residential area. It is an enchanting location for weddings, renewals, memorial celebrations and ceremonies of all sorts. The enchantment of the floral landscape is breath taking when preparing to tie the knot in matrimonial bliss. A multitude of seasonally changing blossoms provides the perfect backdrop for photo opportunities. Winding walkways and wandering paths border the reflecting pool, graceful stairways and fountain cascade, offering wedding and party participants ample opportunity to stroll this magical garden.
Opened in the late 1920s, this eight-acre municipal rose garden features more than 6,000 rose bushes of all varieties. Bloom season is late April