Welcome to part two of my series on my favorite places to see flowers in Oregon! Today I’m sharing the best flower fields near Portland: farms, gardens, and festivals all make up some of my favorite floral adventures in the PNW. If you’d like a more natural approach, head over to my last post on wildflower fields near Portland, otherwise, read on and choose your next adventure.

 

Flower Fields near Portland

 

Adelman Peony Gardens, Salem

Just north of Salem and not too far off I-5 is a magical land of peonies: Adelman Peony Gardens. We’re lucky to have one of America’s leading growers of peonies right here in our backyard, and even luckier that they open their grounds to the public during their bloom season from May through mid-June. During a visit to the peony garden, you can walk through their parklike display gardens or head out to the flower fields. Picnic lunches are welcome on the grounds, so make a day out of it!

 

Adelman Peony Gardens: 5690 Brooklake Rd. NE, Salem, OR 97305

 

Sunflower Field at West Union Gardens, Hillsboro

West Union Gardens is host to an incredible u-pick farm that includes berries, grapes, and tomatoes. The particular field that photographers love most of all? Their sunflower field, available for portrait sessions or just for a good wander. There is a small admission price for the sunflower field, which is in bloom around early September. Pick up something from their farmstand when you’re there for a sunflower field session with your favorite photographer.

 

Sunflower Field at West Union Gardens: 7775 NW Cornelius Pass Rd. Hillsboro, OR 97124

Wildflower fields near Portland

Oregon gets some of the most incredible PNW wildflower fields: check almost any nature preserve and you’ll find them around March and April. If you’d like to check out my favorite spots to catch some lupine or camas lilies, check out my post on wildflower fields near Portland here.

Schreiner’s Iris Gardens, Salem

When I’m looking for flower fields near Portland to enjoy with the kids, I love to combine a visit to Adelman’s Peony Gardens with an afternoon at Schreiner’s Iris Gardens. Both have plenty of walkable garden space, and I especially love the shaded iris gardens at Schreiner’s, perfect on warmer days. They’re a family business, selling irises since 1925. They’re just a few minutes off I-5, but you’d never know it, once you’re ensconced in their serene 10-acre display garden surrounded by old-growth trees and boxwoods.  

 

Schreiner’s Iris Gardens: 3625 Quinaby Rd NE, Salem, OR 97303

 

Swan Island Dahlias, Canby

Get your late-season flower field fix at Swan Island Dahlias! From August through September each year, you can browse over 370 varieties of dahlias at Swan Island Dahlia’s flower farm. With free admission, free parking, and plenty of options for purchasing your own favorite dahlias, it’s the perfect option for a family day out in late summer at flower fields near Portland. Don’t miss their Sunday market or their live music events!

Swan Island Dahlias: 995 NW 22nd Ave, Canby, OR 97013

Oregon Lavender Fields

Another summer favorite in Oregon is the lavender farm! I’ve blogged before about my lavender family photo sessions, and they’re a favorite among SSP clients! We have a lot of lavender farms to choose from here in Oregon, but my favorites for a good lavender field are:

 

Wayward Winds Lavender: 17005 NE Courtney Rd, Newberg, OR 97132

Mountainside Lavender: 17805 SW Hillsboro Hwy, Hillsboro, OR 97123

Helvetia Lavender: 12814 NW Bishop Rd, Hillsboro, OR 97124

 

 

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Gardens with flowers near Portland

If you’re looking for less of a large flower farm experience and more of a manicured garden setting to see blooms in, choose one of these to view a breathtaking variety of native plants and flowering plants and bushes. I love choosing a garden as it is in bloom for more of the year, rather than a farm with only one type of flowering plant, which typically has a short bloom season.

 

The Oregon Garden, Silverton

There’s not much that can beat a day at Silverton’s Oregon Garden. A destination worth the day trip, The Oregon Garden is a collection of 20 curated specialty gardens, situated on 80 acres in the heart of Silverton. There’s almost always something in bloom there, and plenty to see for the whole family. It’s worth a visit at any time of year, from seeing Oregon’s spring blooms to checking out their holiday bazaar.

The Oregon Garden: 879 W Main St, Silverton, OR 97381

 

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, SE Portland

Hidden away in the Eastmoreland neighborhood of Portland, the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is a tucked away little gem full of flowering shrubs. When you visit, walk the winding trail around the pond and check out the azaleas, rhododendrons, and camellias, as well as some of the wildlife: beaver and river otter!

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden: 5801 SE 28th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202

 

Deepwood Garden & Estate, Salem

Worth the drive to Salem, the Deepwood Estate features a beautiful historic home, some outbuildings, and a formal garden on the property. It’s wonderful in the spring when the rhododendrons are in bloom, but it’s lovely all year long and hosts weddings as well.

Deepwood Estate: 1116 Mission St SE, Salem, OR 97302

 

International Rose Test Garden

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the crown jewel of the City of Roses, the International Rose Test Garden. Part of the Washington Park compound in the west hills of Portland, the International Rose Test Garden is perfect for a quick stroll through the roses or an afternoon complete with a picnic. Note that Washington Park and the International Rose Test Garden can get quite crowded on nice days, particularly weekends, so consider making the trip during weekday hours or taking Tri-Met to get to the park.

International Rose Test Garden: 400 SW Kingston Avenue, Portland, OR 97210

 

Lan Su Chinese Garden, NW Portland

Old Town Portland houses Lan Su Chinese Garden, a traditional Chinese botanical garden that was built in 2000 as a collaboration between Portland and our sister city, Suzhou. It sits on a walled city block, and features a tranquil pond, teahouse, and meandering paths through the gardens. Much of it is covered, making it the perfect destination on a drizzly Portland day. In the early spring, be sure to catch the magnolia blooms.

Lan Su Chinese Garden: 239 NW Everett St, Portland, OR 97209

 

Flower Festivals near Portland

Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, Woodburn

If you’re looking for the ultimate Oregon flower festival, the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn is IT! Held on a working farm that produces tulip and daffodil bulbs, the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival celebrates all things tulip. Think 40 acres of tulips, surrounded by a children’s play area, cow wagons to pull children through the fields, hot air balloons on select dates, plenty of food choices, and charming windmill structures and tractors throughout the fields.  Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival truly is a must-see family experience in Oregon. Typically held mid-March through April, crop dependent. As of 2022, all tickets are advance sales only, purchase online.

Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival: 33814 S Meridian Rd, Woodburn, OR 97071

Swan Island Dahlia Festival

Runs from August through September of each year and includes 50 acres of dahlias. Check out live music, the gift shop, farmer’s market, floral classes, and food trucks. 

 

Portland Cherry Blossoms

The cherry blossom season is such a big event in Portland that it needed its own section! The pink blossoms are usually one of the first signs of spring, typically showing up in March. They can last just briefly here, often for a week or two before a storm comes through in the rainy PNW, but they’re so fun to enjoy while they’re in bloom. Here are my favorite spots to see Portland cherry blossoms:

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

The Oregon Capitol Park in Salem

Happy Valley Library

Tualatin High School

Orchard Park, Hillsboro

 

What’s in Bloom this Month at Flower Fields near Portland?

Since bloom season can change drastically for flowers depending on that year’s weather, there are no hard and fast rules about what blooms when. As a general guideline though, these are the months to be thinking about each of these blooms:

March & April	Cherry Blossoms, Tulips, Wildflowers
May & June	Irises, Peonies
July	Lavender
August & September	Dahlias, Sunflowers

 

What next?

Can’t get enough of magical natural PNW locations? Head over to my favorite outdoor photoshoot locations near Portland. If you’re feeling like a hike, I share some of my favorite family-friendly hikes with kids in my Wanderlust Wednesday posts here! And before you, save this post for later by pinning this handy calendar below so you never miss a bloom season:

 

 

PS, it’s time for me to share another one of my favorite blog posts from around the world–today, it’s my friend Rachel, a Bristol Newborn Photographer, sharing about her studio sessions! Head over there and check her out!

 

Lastly, if you’d like to get notified when I release flower field mini session dates, make sure you’re on the VIP list by signing up here! As a bonus, you’ll also get my best tips for planning the family photo session of your dreams: