1.
Adelman Peony Gardens
The family owned and operated Adelman Peony Gardens opens its doors, and its fields, to visitors from May 1 through June 15. Stroll along grass walkways that weave through their 8-acres of flower fields, buy potted peony plants and transfer them to your garden, or purchase cut bouquets and hand them out for May Day.
2.
Cooleys Gardens
Cooley's 200-acre garden, which is owned and operated by fifth generation Oregonians, has been world-famous for its irises for 80 years. There are over 1,000 varieties with vibrant hues of blue, yellow, purple, pink, orange and the color list goes on. Acres of display gardens are open to the public free of charge mid-May through June, and its Peak Bloom Festival runs mid-May through June. The annual celebration features local wine tasting and live weekend entertainment.
3.
Daffodil Drive and Festival
March 15-16, 2008
The Daffodil Drive along Ferguson Road in Junction City has mile after mile of golden daffodils and a day of family activities. Free entertainment, a classic car display, wagon rides, art show, cinnamon rolls, quilt displays, craft booths, and of course, all the daffodils are just a few of the things that draw people of all ages.
4.
Dahlia Festival 2008
August 23 to 25 & August 30 to 31, and September 1st
Roam through the fields then head inside to see hundreds of cut dahlia arrangements –some small and some huge – this summer at the Annual Dahlia Festival. Located in Canby, Swan Island Dahlias is the largest dahlia grower in the United States.
Indoor Display Hours 10 am to 6 pm, Field Hours 8am to 8pm.
5.
Hood River Lavender and Oregon Lavender Festival
Hood River Lavender
July 12-13, 2008
Head to the foothills of Mt. Hood, Oregon’s tallest peak, to Hood River Lavender, a beautiful, certified organic lavender farm. Hood River Lavender consists of two farms – one is wholesale and the other is a Certified Organic U-Pick farm that is open to the public for drop-in tours. Plan now to attend their Lavender Daze Festival.
Watch a video of the 2007 Lavender Daze Festival here: www.lavenderfarms.net
Oregon Lavender Festival
July 12-13, 2008
Celebrate the summer season at the Oregon Lavender Festival, complete with fine arts, crafts, local lavender products for sale, lavender oil distillation demonstrations, music, an art show and sale, craft classes, food, and much more.
6.
The International Rose Test Gardens
Portland isn’t called the Rose City for nothing. Located in gorgeous Washington Park, just west of downtown Portland, The International Rose Test Gardens are reason alone to visit Oregon this summer, when about 10,000 rose plants, including rare types, are in full bloom. The 4.5-acre garden, which was founded in 1917, boasts beautiful blooms from May all the way through summer and into fall.
Plan your visit in conjunction with the Portland Rose Festival, May 29 to June 8. After all, it was recently named the Best Festival in the World!
7.
Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm
The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm celebrates blooming season in early spring with its annual, month-long Tulip Fest (March 20 to April 22). Visitors are invited to enjoy 18-acres of flowers as well as pony rides, wooden shoemaking demonstrations, wine tasting, a children’s garden, gift shop and more.
8.
Portland Classical Chinese Garden
Later this spring, the Portland Classical Chinese Garden will be in full, beautiful bloom. The authentic Suzhou-style garden, which sits on one full city block in Portland’s Old Town / Chinatown neighborhood, is a walled oasis that includes an 8,000-square foot lake, hundreds of rare plants, including species of bamboo, jasmine and orchids, and nine pavilions connected by twisting, mosaic stone paths. Weave your way through the garden, or attend one of the garden's many events, from summer concerts to art exhibits to Mahjong classes.
9.
Portland Japanese Garden
Celebrate the beginning of spring at the Portland Japanese Garden, located in the hills just west of downtown. Often cited as one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan, this 5.5-acre oasis has all the makings for a tranquil afternoon: five distinct gardens, a formal tea house, meandering streams, intimate walkways and quiet corners with amazing views of Mt. Hood, Oregon’s tallest peak.
Right now you’ll see blooming sazanka camellias, dawn viburnum and cherry blossom buds that are ready to burst into color. Before you go, visit the Japanese Garden’s Color in the Garden webpage to see what’s in bloom today.
10.
Schreiners Iris Gardens
Tall Bearded, Beardless, Dwarf … No, we’re not talking about Snow White – these are types of iris bulbs offered at Schreiner’s Iris Garden, located just north of Keizer near the capital city of Salem. One of the nation’s largest retail growers of iris, Schreiner’s has 200 viewing acres that are open to the public—free of charge.
And during peak blooming season in May, this family owned and operated nursery takes part in the annual Keizer Iris Festival Weekend. You’re invited to taste wine from area wineries, listen to live music and munch on barbecue fare this May.
11.
Shore Acres Park
On top of a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean sits one of Oregon’s most beautiful public gardens. Shore Acres Park, established in the early 1900s near the south coast town of Charleston, is the former estate of a lumber and shipping tycoon named Louis J. Simpson. In 1942, the state of Oregon bought this beautiful property and turned it into a state park that features 80 acres of plantings, including formal, Oriental and rose gardens. While winter is mostly green, this spring watch for bright and colorful daffodils, tulips, azaleas, camellia and other types of blooms.
12.
The Oregon Garden
The Oregon Garden is a multi-colored oasis located just 20 minutes from the state capital of Salem. The garden spans 80 acres and boasts 20 specialty gardens, as well as waterfalls, fountains, quiet ponds, a working tree farm, a summer concert series and the Gordon House, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and is open to the public.
The Oregon Garden tram, which runs regularly, also takes visitors on a guided tour around the garden.