It was late April when I last visited Portland. The weather was damp and gloomy, with one afternoon full of hard showers and hail. The grounds at the International Test Rose Gardens were equally morose—wet and gray, with no blooms to speak of.

Now it's July, and it's hot and the roses are in full bloom. The shots here turned out a bit moody, but really, everything was bright and beautiful and fragrant. Perfect timing.

Visit: International Test Rose Gardens, 400 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, Ore.