FOLEY — The city of Foley’s Wilbourne Antique Rose Trail is expected to be at its peak through mid-April. With that in mind, city horticulturist Bill Goodwin is currently scheduling appointments for free guided tours of the nearly mile-long trail.

“This is our seventh spring of doing these tours,” he said in a recent phone interview.

Recognized by the National Parks Service as a National Walking Trail, the Wilbourne Antique Rose Trail contains more than 500 colorful and fragrant blossoms that line a walking path spanning from East Section Street near the Foley Justice Center to East Myrtle Avenue near the Foley Post Office.

“A lot of the roses have a great history,” Goodwin said. “And the aroma is wonderful. The old antique roses still have the smell of roses.”

He explained that the aroma is a treat since today’s hybrid roses usually don’t have a smell.

Goodwin’s 45-minute tours of the trail include the identification and history of the blooms along the walkway.

“A lot of the roses have a great history,” he said.

For more information or to schedule a tour, call Foley City Hall at 251-943-1545.