Rozentuin Coloma

Coloma Rose Garden is one of the largest and most significant rose gardens in Europe, spread across the parkland surrounding Coloma Castle in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. Covering roughly 15 hectares, the garden holds more than 3,000 rose varieties brought in from almost every continent, adding up to around 60,000 rose bushes in total. From June through October the garden bursts into color and fragrance, drawing gardening enthusiasts, botanists, and travelers looking for a peaceful place to walk.

How did the garden come to be?

The story of the rose garden goes back to the 1990s, when the Agency for Nature and Forests (Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos) decided to develop a dedicated rose collection to attract more visitors to Coloma Castle. The municipality of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw had purchased the castle itself in 1985, and a decade later work began on building the rose collection. Construction and gradual expansion of the garden ran from 1995 to 2005 — this was the period during which most of the current varieties were planted and the layout of paths and thematic sections took shape.

What can you see at Coloma Rose Garden?

The undisputed highlight is the rose collection itself — more than 3,000 varieties from 26 countries, making this one of the richest rose collections anywhere in Europe. Visitors can wander through carefully designed beds where roses are grouped by origin, color, and character, from classic hybrid tea roses to climbing varieties and heritage cultivars. Alongside the garden itself, the grounds also house an interactive Rose Museum, which explores the history of rose cultivation, its cultural significance, and the process of breeding new varieties.

The park surrounding Coloma Castle is not just about roses — the extensive green grounds invite longer walks, and the overall setting blends a carefully planned botanical garden with a more natural parkland landscape.

When is the best time to visit?

The blooming season runs from June to October, with peak flowering typically occurring in June and July, when most varieties bloom simultaneously. The park is open year-round, Tuesday through Sunday, from 9am to 8pm (April–September) or 9am to 5pm (October–March). Admission is free, making this an accessible attraction for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.

Frequently asked questions

Is admission to Coloma Rose Garden free? Yes, entry to the garden and surrounding park is completely free year-round.

How many rose varieties grow in the garden? The garden holds more than 3,000 rose varieties from 26 countries, totaling roughly 60,000 rose bushes.

When do the roses bloom most intensely? The main blooming period runs from June to October, with the peak usually falling in June and July.

Is there more to see beyond the roses themselves? Yes — the grounds include an interactive Rose Museum as well as a sprawling 15-hectare park surrounding Coloma Castle, ideal for a longer walk.

How do you get to the garden? Coloma Rose Garden is located at Joseph Depauwstraat 25 in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, close to Brussels, making it an easy day-trip destination from the Belgian capital.