Noah Beets, 14, left, of Overton poses for a photo with his grandmother Betty Vickery, center, as his grandfather the Rev. W.J. Vickery takes the photo as they enjoy the daffodils Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at Mrs. Lee's Garden in Gladewater. (Kevin Green/News-Journal photo)

It’s easy to look around and see the natural beauty of East Texas.

From being the home of the nation’s largest collection of public roses to masterfully planned gardens that are home to plants from Southern Living, East Texas is blooming with beauty.

This May, the Tyler Rose Garden will have a multitude of roses in bloom while the Longview Arboretum and Nature Center will be bursting with buds and a weekly concert series to attract visitors.

Tyler Rose Garden

For nearly 70 years, Tyler has given people a place to view and tour its rose garden. Known as the “Rose Capital of America,” Tyler has a long history of rose production, cultivation and processing.

“Tyler is known in the nation for its roses. The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden is a 14-acre park officially recognized as a ‘national treasure’ on the National Register of Historic Places,” said Adriana Rodriguez, who serves as the quality of life public information officer for the city of Tyler. “We have a great variety of colors and types of roses. We are the largest public collection of roses in the United States, holding more than 32,000 bushes and 600 cultivars.”

The rose garden annually draws hundreds of visitors from across the state and country. Peak bloom season occurs twice a year, in May and in October.

Rodriguez said that while this May won’t be a “normal” bloom season for the rose garden, a winter snowstorm left the garden in “much better condition” than officials had expected. That means, there still will be plenty of roses and plants in bloom. A full bloom is expected to return in October, she added.

The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden also features smaller gardens within the park that play host to a variety of other plants. Visitors can see everything from roses to water features to a bee observatory.

The Tyler Rose Garden is open from dawn until dark, seven days a week, at 420 Rose Park Drive in Tyler. Admission is free.

Longview Arboretum and Nature Center

Just a short car ride from downtown Longview, visitors can reconnect with nature at an outdoor paradise.

The Longview Arboretum and Nature Center showcases trees, native plants, wildlife and water resources in the heart of Longview.

From more than 3,500 daffodils planted on the grounds to countless canna lilies and a variety of other plants, something is always in bloom at the Longview Arboretum, according to Executive Director Steven Chamblee.

“We want people to come here to connect with nature,” Chamblee said.

The arboretum, which opened in 2019, is located on about 29 acres of land, with 14 acres developed so far. In 2020, the foundation for Southern Living magazine made a plant donation to the Longview arboretum. The Southern Living Garden occupies about three-quarters of an acre at the arboretum and features plants exclusively from the Southern Living collection.

This May, arboretum patrons are invited attend a weekly concert series. At 6 p.m. each Thursday in May, the arboretum will feature live music on its Water’s Edge Stage.

The arboretum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $5 per person; children under 3 and arboretum members can visit for free. The arboretum is located at 706 W. Cotton St. in Longview.

Other Blooms

Mrs. Lee’s Daffodil Garden: Typically in late February or early March each spring, Mrs. Lee’s Daffodil Gardens opens for visitors to drive along dirt pathways to view thousands of daffodils in bloom. The garden is open only during blooming season. For information, visit www.daffodilgarden.com.

Tyler Azalea Trail: Each spring — typically in March — East Texans are invited to drive through Tyler along the 10-mile Azalea Trail which takes visitors along quaint brick streets as they view historic homes and residential gardens with blooming azaleas, dogwoods and tulips. For information, visit visittyler.com/azaleatrail/.

Wildflower Trails: Each spring, typically in April, Cass County blooms with beautiful wildflowers along major roadways in the area. The cities of Linden, Hughes Springs and Avinger plan corresponding events for the Wildflower Trails of Texas. For information, visit www.wildflowertrailsoftexas.org.