History of the Garden
 In 1950, Henry McGill purchased a block of land that was home to a coal yard owned by W. A. Avant. Avant, owner of Avant Fuel and Ice Co., sold the property to Henry, who kept the coal business running for a while afterwards. Helen McGill, Henry’s wife, decided to beautify the area by planting two rose bushes, and eventually added numerous rose beds over three decades to the property. Today, discover the Seaboard Coastline coal car still on its tracks, located to the left of the garden. The Seaboard Railroad Company donated the 34-ton coal hopper car as a memorial in memory of Helen McGill.
Garden Services
 Garden Rentals
The McGill Rose Garden is a beautiful place to celebrate any special occasion. The peaceful, intimate surroundings and beautiful scenery provides the perfect backdrop for your memorable occasion.
Call Karisa Pennell directly at (704) 905-9808 or at the garden (704) 333-6497 to discuss details about your event and to receive additional information about rentals.
 Garden Weddings
Looking for a unique space for your garden wedding? McGill Rose Garden’s beautiful blooms create a romantic backdrop for any wedding. Aside from the many-colored roses, McGill Rose Garden’s landscape includes water fountains, statues, benches, and a lovely rose-covered arbor.
Our wedding package includes:
Free consultation;
Onsite floral designer;
Use of your chosen rental providers (i.e., caterer, entertainment, lighting); and
Use of our art and garden shop, including the restroom and covered porch.
McGill Rose Garden is a non-profit organization; all event fees are used to keep the garden growing.
McGill Rose Garden is also the perfect place for bridal and engagement photos or for your bridal luncheon.
McGill Rose Garden Timeline
- 1950 Land purchased by Henry McGill
- 1967 Garden open to public on Mother’s Day
- 1973 McGill Day of Appreciation declared by Mayor John Belk, who recognized their "painstaking care" and "unselfish efforts" to bring beauty to a once blighted area
- 1975 McGill’s business closed and the property became the McGill Rose Garden
- 1985 Helen McGill died, and Mr. McGill and the City of Charlotte (represented by Mayor Harvey Gantt) dedicated a lovely fountain in the garden to Helen’s memory
- 1996 Non-profit organization, managed by a volunteer Board of Directors was established
- 1998 McGill Rose Garden declared an All-America Rose Selections (AARS) public garden, one of only a handful in the entire state
- 2002 50th Anniversary celebration of the garden
- 2003 Henry McGill’s 100th birthday
- 2007 Henry McGill passed away on March 10 at 103 years old
- NOW Over 200 varieties of roses along with annuals, perennials and herbs, fountains and statuary
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