Flower Power

Bloom Watch: 10 Portland-Area Flowers to Know

Across town, urban gardens are blooming. Here's what to look for—and when—as shoulder season heats up.

By Sarah Hutchins April 6, 2018

Oregon Grape—now to mid-April

Hoyt Arboretum has two different native species. The taller variety is Oregon’s official flower and flourishes practically everywhere, from along highways to cracks in the sidewalk. Spring’s small, bright yellow blossoms will make way for clusters of round, dusky blue fruit. (Yes, they’re edible—but often tart.)

Photography by Kyoko Donaldson

Magnolias—now to mid-April

Parks and other city-owned property are bursting with magnolias, but Hoyt Arboretum exhibits 50–60 different species, and Lan Su Chinese Garden offers a twist on the American classic with a moth-pollinated mountain magnolia that blooms at night.

Photography by Brendan Hutchins

Camellias—now to mid-April

By the time this is published, the ephemeral beauty of the cherry trees’ petals most likely covers the ground as soft spring snow, but Portland Japanese Garden’s greenery still pops with fist-sized white, pink, and red camellias. Take a break from your leisurely stroll through the garden to drink some green tea or check out nine flower-decorated bamboo vessels from Hanakago through April 22.

Photography by Julia Taylor

Tulips—now through April

The first two weeks of April are the best time this year to see 40 acres of tulips at Woodburn’s Wooden Shoe’s annual Tulip Fest (March 23–April 30). Pose for photos amid dozens of tulip varieties, eat some on-site Loco Ono BBQ, and ride a hot air balloon (weather permitting).

Photography by Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm

Trillium—now to mid-April

As these triple-leafed perennials age, the white petals turn pink and purple by the end of April or early May. See these tri-petaled charms go through their life cycle along the trails at Tryon Creek, Washington Park, and Forest Park.

Photography by Kyoko Donaldson

Rhododendrons—late April through autumn

While these Northwest staples bloom as late as November, spring is the peak. There’s a good chance some flourish within a stone’s throw of your home, but Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden near Reed College cultivates more than 2,500 rhododendron, azaleas, and companion plants along winding paths, a spring-fed lake, and waterfalls.

Photography by Kyoko Donaldson

Irises—mid-May to late May

The many colors and varieties of irises most likely inspired the ancient Greeks to name the revered flower after the eponymous goddess who traveled by rainbow. Get a taste from neighbors' gardens and see the spectrum May 11–31 at Salem’s Schreiner’s Iris Gardens, which displays 500 varieties over 10 acres and hosts liqueur and wine tasting weekends.

Photography by Schreiner's Iris Gardens

Roses—late May through autumn

These thorny damsels can be found in nearly every pocket of the Rose City, but the International Rose Test Garden’s free admission allows entry to view more than 10,000 roses of 600 varieties. If you’re on the east side, check out its rose show processor, the Peninsula Park Rose Garden, designed by Emanuel L. Mische in 1912 as a French-style parterre.

Photography by Portland Parks and Recreation

Lavender—mid-June to mid-July

Imported from France, lavender has made its home in Oregon. Tour 18 different lavender farms with the Oregon Lavender Association to purchase some treats, relax in the field with yoga, or snip some sweet-smelling whorls for your home.

Photography by Kristen Mazzaserro

Lotus—late July

Downtown’s Lan Su Chinese Garden has a number of hybrids, both local and imported from Portland’s sister city Suzhou. Among the rhododendrons, magnolias, camellias, peonies, and osmanthus, it features the largest number of lotuses in Portland—180 total. Known as the plant of the scholar, these flowers traditionally grow in murky water until they emerge flawless. In Portland, they spend an artificial summer in a greenhouse and are then carefully relocated.

Photography by Lan Su Chinese Garden

At last—it’s flower time, Portland. Look around: cherry blossoms, daffodils, and magnolias have already burst forth in home gardens, on the waterfront, along trails. The timing is always just a bit different: in 2017, a seemingly never-ending winter delayed spring’s showiest feature. And in 2018, blooms arrived a skosh early, despite a mid-to-late March freeze.

Courtesy of climate change, Willamette Valley summers are tracking warmer and rainier, with temperatures peaking in mid-June and July. That means now—before the dog days begin—just might be the best time to enjoy the city’s local flora.

While you can enjoy tulips, roses, and irises by strolling through your neighborhood or park, consider also hitting up local farms and parks for an array of color, festivities, and Instagrammable photo ops.With the free Washington Park Shuttle, you can make a day out of seeing the International Rose Test Garden, camellias at the Japanese Garden, and a multitude of plants at the Hoyt Arboretum. If you’re downtown, Lan Su Chinese Garden blends local and Chinese hybrids. Check out our slideshow for a cheat sheet to 10 of Portland's finest floral beauties.

Wildflowers, Forest Park

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