Oregon Spring
Gardens Tour
In spring, Oregon’s gardens burst to life with lilacs, rhododendrons, tulips, and clematis, along with a rich variety of other seasonal blooms that fill the landscape with color, fragrance, and natural charm. This self-guided tour invites you to explore botanical gardens and flower farms at your own pace, with each location highlighting a unique facet of the region’s seasonal beauty.
LEACH BOTANICAL GARDEN
Leach Botanical Garden, located in southeast Portland, is a 17-acre urban oasis featuring native plants, wooded trails, and a free-flowing creek. Highlights include an aerial tree walk, a four-season pollinator garden, and historic structures like the Leach Manor House and Stone Cabin. Originally the private estate of botanist Lilla Leach and her husband John, the garden now offers visitors a serene setting to explore diverse plant collections and connect with nature. The garden is home to more than 2,000 species, including rare and endangered plants from the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
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6704 SE 122nd Ave Portland, OR 97236 GET DIRECTIONS |
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(503) 208-6030 |
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Helpful Hints: The garden hosts a wide variety of programs throughout the year, including guided plant and history tours, art workshops, yoga sessions, and family-friendly activities like Honeybee Hikes, so be sure to check their events schedule.
CRYSTAL SPRINGS RHODODENDRON GARDEN
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is a 9.5-acre botanical retreat featuring over 2,500 rhododendrons, azaleas, and companion plants set among peaceful lakes, waterfalls, and shaded walking paths. Established in 1950, the garden offers seasonal color, with peak rhododendron blooms from late April to early May and striking foliage in fall. At its center lies a spring-fed lake lined with flowering shrubs and crossed by stone and wooden bridges, offering scenic reflections and a tranquil setting for spotting ducks, herons, and nearly 100 other bird species. Benches placed throughout the garden invite quiet moments of rest and reflection.
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5801 SE 28th Ave Portland, OR 97202 GET DIRECTIONS |
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(503) 267-7509 |
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Helpful Hints: To enjoy a more peaceful visit to Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, consider arriving early on weekdays, as weekends—especially during peak bloom in April and May—can be quite busy with both locals and tourists.
DUNIWAY PARK LILAC GARDEN
Tucked in the hillside of Duniway Park in southwest Portland, the Duniway Lilac Garden showcases over 125 lilac varieties, offering a fragrant and colorful spring display. Established in 1935 with blooms from B.O. Case’s renowned collection, the garden features both classic and rare lilacs, including a Japanese Tree Lilac that flowers in June. Surrounded by mature fir trees and native plantings, the garden provides a quiet, scenic escape just minutes from downtown. Free and open to the public, it’s a favorite seasonal stop for lilac enthusiasts, walkers, and anyone looking to enjoy Portland’s floral heritage in a peaceful setting.
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SW 6th Ave/SW Sheridan St Portland, OR 97201 GET DIRECTIONS |
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(503) 823-2525 |
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Helpful Hints: The lilacs at Duniway Park typically peak in late April to early May. For the best experience, visit in the morning when the light is soft and the air is filled with fragrance from dozens of blooming varieties.
McMENAMIN’S KENNEDY SCHOOL
McMenamins Kennedy School is a repurposed 1915 elementary school transformed into a hotel and entertainment venue in Portland. Guests can stay in one of 57 guestrooms—many converted from original classrooms with chalkboards—and enjoy amenities like a movie theater, a brewery, themed bars, a restaurant in the old cafeteria, and a saltwater soaking pool. Whimsical murals and historic photos line the halls, preserving the building’s scholastic charm. Outside, lush gardens, mature trees, and creatively landscaped courtyards offer peaceful seating areas and a welcoming, community-friendly atmosphere, featuring a mix of rare and familiar plants that create a dynamic, ever-changing garden.
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5736 NE 33rd Ave Portland, OR 97211 GET DIRECTIONS |
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(503) 249-3983 |
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Helpful Hints: Exploring the nearby Alberta Arts District is a short walk, offering a lively mix of independent shops, art galleries, coffeehouses, and local eateries, making it a perfect complement to the Kennedy School’s eclectic charm.
ROGERSON CLEMATIS GARDEN
The Rogerson Clematis Garden, located at Luscher Farm near Lake Oswego, Oregon, is a premier destination for clematis enthusiasts and gardeners. As the most comprehensive collection of clematis within a public garden in North America, it showcases over 1,800 individual plants representing nearly 900 distinct species and cultivars from around the world. Visitors can explore themed display gardens, such as the Heirloom Garden featuring antique clematis varieties and the Modern Garden highlighting post-World War II cultivars. Open daily from dawn to dusk, the garden offers a serene environment for plant lovers to immerse themselves in the diverse beauty of clematis.
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125 Rosemont Rd West Linn, OR 97068 GET DIRECTIONS |
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(971) 777-4394 |
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Helpful Hints: Clematis varieties bloom at different times, but late spring and early summer often showcase the most colorful and abundant displays. If the garden nursery is open, you may have an opportunity to buy plants on-site.
WOODEN SHOE TULIP FARM
Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn, Oregon, is a family-owned farm in the Willamette Valley since 1950, renowned for its annual Tulip Festival. Each spring, the farm showcases 40 acres of eye-catching tulip fields, featuring over 100 varieties in an array of colors. Visitors can enjoy picturesque views of Mount Hood, stroll through the expansive fields, and participate in activities such as hot air balloon rides, wine tastings from the on-site vineyard, and family-friendly attractions. The festival also offers a gift shop, food vendors, and opportunities to purchase fresh-cut and potted tulips, making it a quintessential springtime destination in Oregon.
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33814 S. Meridian Rd Woodburn, OR 97071 GET DIRECTIONS |
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Helpful Hints: Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm offers hot air balloon rides on select spring mornings, weather permitting—a unique way to see the fields from above. Check their event calendar in advance if you're interested in this unforgettable experience.