Blog Archives

May Days--Public Gardens to Delight

6/21/2023

Note: click on the photos to enlarge them & see the captions. Click on the right or left side of each photo in a group to advance to the next photo or to go back.

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
5801 SE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97202
Reed College right there has historic architecture across from tree-lined streets of historic homes, and Otto's Sausage Kitchen & Meat Market, not far, is a very popular place to eat.

May is a good time to visit Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, across from Reed College. This garden has very limited parking, but don't park at the college . . . if the lot is full, you have to try to park in a nearby neighborhood

Schreiner's Iris Gardens
3625 Quinaby Rd NE, Salem, OR 97303
--the north end, near 35th Ave
May is a great time to see the gardens blooming.

Schreiner's is out in the country.

Deepwood Museum & Gardens
1116 Mission St SE, Salem, OR 97302
--next to Bush's Pasture Park on the east
The museum is not accessible, and the garden paths can be tricky for a wheelchair, but it's a beautiful place to spend some relaxing time or host an event. The grounds are open sunrise to sunset. The museum/house has more limited hours.

Bush’s Pasture Park
890 Mission St SE, Salem, OR 97302
(Take Bush St east off High St for the museum etc.)
Salem Hospital Campus is across Mission St from the park. Emergency & parking off Capital St. McCulloch Stadium (Willamette U) is inside the park.
This park is so pleasant, and has so many amenities, plan to spend at least a half day or more. Check hours and if you need a reservation for a tour of the museum. The small Art museum and gift shop is a guide yourself venue. The museum/house built in 1878 is not wheelchair accessible.

The Oregon Garden, Silverton OR
879 W. Main St. Silverton, OR 97381--near Salem

This garden is 20 gardens in one, and not just flowers, but trees and bees as well. Even chickens. We were there mid-day, so didn't see any deer, as is shown on the Garden's website, but we did see a squirrel scampering, a rabbit hopping away, and lots and lots of bees. https://www.oregongarden.org/gardens/
The children's garden and train were closed for COVID Aug 2020, but there were some other features meant to intrigue the little ones, as well as adults, such as garden art, water features, paths to wander, and cozy nooks.
Picnics are welcome, and picnic tables as well as restrooms are scattered throughout the garden--I think not all the restrooms are accessible, but the ones at the entrance and the Resort are--and there are plenty of places to just sit and feed your soul as well as your body. We ate at the restaurant, the resort at the top of the hill. It was extremely delicious.
I was glad all was downhill from there. I did have to have a pusher to help me make it the entire day. The main paths are paved, but there are many more intimate and interconnecting trails that are gravel, and not as wheelchair friendly (some not at all).
My friend said her phone clocked 3 miles we wandered, I think--but it seemed much more. We arrived about 11:30am, and left about 4:30pm. I rook many more photos than is practical to include here.

The Garden at Shore Acres State Park, OR (coast)
see Day 3 my post at https://www.travelpacificnw.com/accessible-travel-blog/florence-to-port-orford-dune-buggies-and-bandon-by-the-sea-s-oregon-coast

Photos below from Naturescaping Wildlife Botanical Gardens, Brush Prairie, WA

Travel by video! Restrictions due to COVID-19 put a crimp in my ability to provide 1st hand experiences with these gardens. Yet for each of these gardens I was able to find videos. On the left are pictures from Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden (May 2023), Schreiner's Iris Gardens (May 2023), Deepwood Museum & Gardens (May 2023), Bush's Pasture Park (May 2023), Oregon Garden (8-11-2020), and my visit to NatureScaping Wildlife Botanical Gardens spring of 2020. Over the years I have visited Crystal Springs, the Grotto, Lan Su Chinese Garden (my pictures are not as wonderful as the videos below), but following are public Gardens to Delight, videos, and links . . .

International Rose Test Garden, Portland
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, Portland
Duniway Park Lilac Garden, Portland

Leach Botanical Garden, Portland
The Grotto, Portland
Elk Rock Garden, Portland
(Chinese & Japanese Gardens, Portland—Link to other posts)
Rogerson Clematis Garden, West Linn, OR
Campbell Native Garden, Lake Oswego, OR
Adelman Peony Gardens, Salem, OR
Schreiner’s Iris Gardens, Salem, OR
Gaiety Hollow, Salem, OR
Deepwood Museum & Gardens, Salem, OR
Bush’s Pasture Park, Salem, OR
The Oregon Garden, Silverton, OR near Salem
Naturescaping Wildlife Botanical Gardens, Brush Prairie, WA
Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens, Woodland, WA
Many arboretums are also botanical gardens. See https://www.travelpacificnw.com/accessible-travel-blog/trees-to-see-in-the-pacific-nw

International Rose Test Garden, Washington Park, Portland, OR, from 1917, ordinarily open daily, free
400 SW Kingston Ave
Fountain, gift shop, paved paths (a ramp improving accessibility was constructed in 2017), pay to park (limited parking, free seasonal shuttle), statuary/public art. Guided and self-guided tours, views, amphitheater, reservable wedding site
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/finder/index.cfm?action=viewpark&propertyid=1113

A 2 minute video overview, including mention of a 2017 ADA ramp, by the Oregonian News
Captions included. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC1fpml1250&t=4s

A 3 minute video highlighting the curator & care. The garden’s 100 year anniversary. By the Oregonian.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOvE7bAbIlM

A 3 minute video, with how to get there and other valuable tips (not great sound)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrhfPGPk6oE

A 10 minute video with historical and other information
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NgeHehifkk

A nearly 15 minute video with music, no verbal explanations, shows the paved paths (including some stairs), as well as the gardens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MuX-kRrUL0&list=PLyH-PcfbSzx2IEeeoYEJjl-RRwW4Zy8IW

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, 9.5 acres, open daily, $5 admission (<10 free), 10-3:30 daily; link to events on their page
5801 SE 28th Ave, Portland
(503) 267-7509
https://www.crystalspringsgardenpdx.org/
Landscaped with small lakes, fountains, little water falls, paved & unpaved paths, some with wheelchair unfriendly slopes. Don't feed the wildlife. If you are in a wheelchair, a helper is advised. Photos accompany this post.

3.5 minute video by Garden Time TV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aalZYNgshf4

Duniway Park Lilac Garden, 14 acres, from 1918
SW 6th Ave and Sheridan Street, Portland
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/finder/index.cfm?&action=ViewPark&propertyid=44
Paved paths, picnic tables, soccer field, track, horseshoes, accessible restrooms.  1 hour free parking enforced.

13 minute video done by station KATU, not a lot of info, but beautiful lilacs, May 2020
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=326916788282537&ref=watch_permalink

Leach Botanical Garden, 16 acres, free/donations, closed Mondays
604 SE 122nd Ave, Portland
https://leachgarden.org/
Limited wheelchair accessibility, no pets, no smoking/no vaping. Ordinarily hosts annual events.

6.5 minute video done by Garden Time TV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wuUES-XD_w

The Grotto, 62 acres, from 1924, lower level free, upper level $5-10
8840 NE Sidmore St, Portland
Main entrance NE 85th Ave & Sandy Boulevard
https://thegrotto.org/visit/
Catholic sanctuary and gardens, but open to all. The Christmas season is a wondrous and popular time to see the garden all alight with celebration, including musical events. Lower level free, buy an elevator token for the upper gardens.

A well-done 7 minute video view with music; beautiful garden & shrines from different cultures
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7lujq-2xDA

My 2021 Advent visit to the Grotto, scroll down to "Dec 4--Advent--the Grotto" nearly at bottom of
https://www.travelpacificnw.com/accessible-travel-blog/savor-the-latin-flavors
and
https://www.travelpacificnw.com/accessible-travel-blog/greater-portland-or

Elk Rock Garden (aka The Garden of the Bishop’s Close), 13 acres, from 1916
11800 SW Military Lane, Portland
https://www.portlandpf.org/bishopsclosegardenatelkrock
Operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Portland. Open to the public. No public restrooms. Limited parking. No picnics or lawn games. Dogs on leash and clean-up required.

Lan Su Chinese Garden
See https://www.travelpacificnw.com/accessible-travel-blog/chinatown-portland-or and
https://www.travelpacificnw.com/accessible-travel-blog/celebrating-chinese-style

Portland’s Japanese Garden
May 2022 post:
https://www.travelpacificnw.com/accessible-travel-blog/japanese-american-journeys

Rogerson Clematis Garden, 2 acres around historic farmhouse
Luscher Farm, 125 Rosemont Rd, West Linn, OR
Phone 9771.777.4394
https://www.rogersonclematiscollection.org/
Clematis for nearly every climate and condition, grown in combination with other garden species.   “Paths in and through the Garden are made of compacted gravel and are firm, flat and stable. They are accessible to most people, including those pushing strollers and using walkers or motorized chairs. Dogs or other pets on fixed-length leashes (not retractable leashes) are welcome on our paths. No pets are allowed in the greenhouse or sales terrace unless they can be carried.” Part of the Lake Oswego Park & Rec system. Ordinarily group tours available ($10/person, minimum 8 people). Classes available.

A 4.5 minute video by Garden Time TV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6LnVmFOla0

A 20 minute video guided tour with Mt. Hood Territory Live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KAdtoAI6sQ

Campbell Native Garden, .5 acre
2750 Iron Mountain Blvd (across from Iron Mountain Park), Lake Oswego, OR
503-675-2549
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Campbell-Native-Gardens/106209589435135
All native garden. Doesn’t look very wheelchair accessible.

A 3 minute video by Garden Time TV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGzHQ3e8DAE

Adelman Peony Gardens
5690 Brooklake Rd. NE, Salem OR
503-393-6185
https://peonyparadise.com/
A family farm and business. Visitors welcome during blooming time. Open House May 1 to June 15, 9am to 6pm daily. Peak blooming is usually about Memorial Day. They are open May 2020.

A 4.5 minute video by Garden Time TV, May 14, 2020; they also did videos for this place other years
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4wdVML2Vzs

A 12 minute video on on their site and Youtube Adleman Peony Gardens
https://youtu.be/ePEYSs_nuW4

Schreiner’s Iris Gardens
3625 Quinaby Road NE, Salem, OR
503-393-3232 or 800-525-2367
https://www.schreinersgardens.com/about-schreiners
“In early May each year, we open our 10-acre display gardens to the public. Make a tour of Schreiner's Iris Gardens one of your springtime traditions. During bloom season, our display gardens are open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., rain or shine. Parking $5/car.”

A 1 minute video May 10, 2020, Mother’s Day at Schreiner’s Gardens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=iCSiJMscXAM&feature=emb_logo

A 3.5 minute video May 12, 2020, Iris Gardens and Companion Plants
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=N5SxnET7Otw&feature=emb_logo

As I drove down to Salem in May of 2023 I saw this alluring beauty along the freeway, and determined that on the way home I would detour and take a few pics, which accompany this post.

Gaiety Hollow
545 Mission Street SE, Salem OR
(971) 600-6987
https://lordschryver.org/gaiety-hollow/

A 13 minute video, with historic information
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjBbSyBrdcc&feature=emb_title

Deepwood Museum & Gardens, built 1893-4
1116 Mission St. SE, Salem, OR
503-363-1825
https://deepwoodmuseum.org/
“Call or check our events calendar for occasional scheduled closures. All tours are designed to be family friendly and include an optional scavenger hunt for children. Tours last approximately 45 minutes and depart at the top of the hour. The Solarium on the front porch of the house provide a lovely place to wait for the next tour time.
“In order to maintain our historic structures and gardens in their original forms, some of our spaces are not wheelchair accessible. These areas include: the interior of the historic house and Carriage house. There are approximately 9 steps to get from ground level to the front porch, and a full set of stairs on the interior of the home to get to the second floor.
"All of the historic garden spaces are accessible via long winding paths. Please call us for information on how to get the most out of your visit."
Photos accompanying this post taken May 2023.
6 min virtual tour:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhPVLEr4XZ4&ab_channel=TravelSalem

Bush’s Pasture Park, 91 acres, home built 1878
555 Liberty ST SE RM 325, Salem OR
503-588-6261
https://www.cityofsalem.net/bushs-pasture-park
Park, museum, botanical garden, stage, restrooms, 3 playgrounds, walking/running paths, baseball, tennis, horseshoes, amphitheater, reservable areas, official Soap Box Derby Track. Photos accompanying this post taken May 2023.
A 1.5 minute video by cctvsalem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko7YDrgf5_E

The Oregon Garden, 80 acres, $12 adults (free if you are staying at the resort)
879 W. Main St., Silverton, OR
503-874-8100
See photos accompanying this post.
https://www.oregongarden.org/   includes a great video that will get you excited to go!
"A stunning, 80-acre botanical garden, featuring more than 20 specialty gardens showcasing the diverse botanical beauty of the Willamette Valley and the Pacific Northwest. We have educational specialty gardens for everyone, from the Sensory Garden and Rose Garden to the Children’s Garden and Pet-Friendly Garden. On site is a visitor center and gift shop as well as a nursery to buy plants for your home that were grown right here in the garden. We have 4 miles of ADA paths, and we are pet-friendly."
“Silverton is a city in Marion County, Oregon, United States. The city is situated along the 45th parallel about 12 miles northeast of Salem, in the eastern margins of the broad alluvial plain of the Willamette Valley.” Wikipedia

NatureScaping Wildlife Botanical Gardens, free, open daily dawn to dusk.
11000 NE 149th St.
Brush Prairie, WA
360-737-1660
https://naturescaping.org/
Nine themed gardens, including NW natives. Picnic tables, paths ok for wheelchairs in good weather. See photos accompanying this post. Videos can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pg/naturescapingswwa/videos/?ref=page_internal

Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens, $5, under 12 free, open 10-4 daily
115 S. Pekin Rd, Woodland, WA
360-225-8996
https://lilacgardens.com/
Photo gallery on their site. Farmhouse, giftshop, tours, etc. Annual Lilac Days festival (23 days up to and including Mother’s Day) had to be cancelled in 2020. Ordinarily available for Weddings and Events. Nice wide paved paths.
"Just inside the gate are brochures with information about the Gardens. Restrooms are located near the water tower and the gift shop. The Gardens cover 4 acres including the Gardens, Gift Shop, Plant Sales Area, Potting Shed and Hulda’s Historic Home. Amount of time spent at the Gardens will vary by group. Because we are a nonprofit, everyone pays sales tax – no Oregon tax exemption. The $5 admission is all inclusive and includes tax.
"No food is available at the Gardens, however, visitors may bring their own lunches or snacks. There are picnic tables located around the gardens and several restaurants in Woodland. We do not reserve tables. Please put trash in waste cans located around the Gardens."

A 3 minute video with some historical information as well as views of the gardens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1vz6pFLeaA

A 3 minute video by Garden Time TV (compilation for COVID quarantine)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyuVTJt3Qww&list=RDCMUCuvlYdtnc30gDVdlX3uAVpQ&index=15

The Garden Conservancy Pacific Northwest Forum
with list of member gardens:

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Oregon Renaissance Faire, Canby OR

6/13/2023

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It's only about an hour's drive or less, south from Portland OR to Canby, where the Oregon Renaissance Faire was held in 2023 (and I'm supposing annually). The Google Gal directed me through Oregon City and south on Hwy 99E, which I was pleased to travel. Another time I hope to explore Oregon City more, especially the paved walk/bike path with views along the Willamette River.

Entry & Facilities--694 NE 4th Ave, Canby, OR 97013
I became concerned about finding appropriate parking as I slowly inched forward in a line of traffic the last leg to the fairgrounds, saw full lots along 4th St, and lots of people walking toward the Faire. So when I beheld superb disabled parking at the Main Pavilion of the Clackamas County Fairgrounds, I quickly selected it, and hoped I would be able to roll the rest of the way. That turned out to be a prudent choice, for although when I reached the field parking at the Fairgrounds around 10:30am there was still plenty of parking, and it was flat, it wasn't paved and marked for deployment of my van's ramp.

https://www.oregonfaire.com/information/
https://www.oregonfaire.com/schedule-of-performances/
https://www.oregonfaire.com/entertainment/ (about the performers)

I went for the Pirate themed weekend, but I'm sure most of the vendors, food, and entertainment were the same for all three weekends. The third weekend was a Scottish theme.

Booths

Performers--scroll down to see more

Wearables

Fair Mary, Queen of Scots at the Faire with an entourage of courtiers

Edible Fare at the Faire
There were also plenty of places to get refreshments the likes of mead, ale, cider, and such.

The Jousting Tournament

More Booths

Seventh Sun Archery--guest participation (for a price) activity

Pot Thrower

Raptor Booth & Show

Cirque du Sewer--droopy-rope walker, rat trainer & comedian

The Lynx Show--sword swallower, magician, comedian

Broon--Fire Eater, Juggler, Comedian
(juggled a bowling ball, burning torch, and an apple, taking bites as he juggled)

Supernova the Strong Woman--broke a pencil, smashed an apple single-handedly, curled a steel frying pan into a burrito pan . . . incited audience participation.