Words by Keven Salazar | Photo by Michael Davies
Spring is upon us, which means sunny days of roses, tulips and more in full bloom. What better occasion to explore some beautiful gardens? Here are six stunning gardens in Oregon; they’re all special in their own way, and ripe for a visit during spring and summer.
1) Owen Rose Garden, Eugene — Eugene’s Owen Rose Garden is a beautiful park that provides trails to explore and wonderful scenery to admire. Just a short walk from the city center, this well-kept garden sits along the Willamette River. It’s a fun place to enjoy a stroll, bike ride or picnic. It even has a beautiful little gazebo, which can be great for taking photos or enjoying a glass of iced tea.
2) Shore Acres, Coos Bay — Shore Acres Garden in Coos Bay is one park you won’t want to miss! This wonderful garden sits near the beach and provides access to a beautiful view of the ocean! This little coastal paradise is one to definitely check out when you’re in Coos Bay.  Cost: $5 Parking
3) Rose Garden, Portland — The Portland Rose garden is an iconic Oregon park and a great treasure in the heart of Portland. Located just outside of Portland, this garden houses a large variety of garden roses. It’s definitely the perfect place for couples, families and garden lovers to come check out. The roses begin to bloom around April and peak during June.
4) Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, Woodburn —The Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, located in Woodburn is home to expansive fields overflowing with tulips! A sea of colors created by the thousands of tulips makes for quite the photogenic spot. You can walk around and enjoy the small tables selling food and crafts, and even treat yourself to a hay ride. The best time is to go is in April, when the tulips begin to bloom.
5) Deepwood Museum & Gardens, Salem — Deepwood Garden, located in Salem, is a beautiful park that’s perfect for taking a stroll. It provides a calm environment with ponds and nature all around. This is a great place to visit if you want to have a picnic and enjoy the sun during summer. The garden is open to the public without a fee – parking included – and for tour fee for the museum home is $6. Tours take place Wednesday’s through Saturday’s, 9:00pm to 1:00pm at the top of every hour. House tour fee is $6 per adult. For other student discounts visit https://deepwoodmuseum.org/visit/.
6) Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, Portland — Another hidden gem in Portland is the Crystal Springs Rhododendron. This park is home to beautiful gardens, ponds and waterfalls. It’s a calm place with lovely scenery, great trails and wonderful flowers. The park is wheelchair-accessible and provides benches by the ponds to sit and watch the ducks and geese swim. Park admission is $5, and you can visit between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. The park will be open through September 30th. Parking is limited, so get there early and enjoy one of Portland’s best parks.