Rose Garden

Rosen Garden dedication 1994

The Virginia S. Nelson Rose Garden, located next to the Warren Administration Building, was constructed in 1994 to commemorate the Winter Park resident for whom it is named. Nelson died in January of 1992, and left $10 million of her estate to the College. In 2005, the Rose Garden underwent renovation to remove old roses, change out the soil, and plant new flowers. The roses that were selected as replacements are grafted on fortuniana rootstock because of its higher resistance to parasitic nematodes. The roses themselves were chosen because of their disease resistance, which reduces the need for maintenance and the use of chemicals on campus. The garden has provided the campus community with many years of beauty and peaceful retreat from a busy day of work and study.