Illustration by Nicole Oliver
Springtime in Portland has arrived in full force. After a treacherous few months of ice storms and the iconic drizzly weather that many Portlanders are begrudgingly fond of, the sunshine has been a welcome change for Lewis & Clark students.
With the arrival of spring, flowers are now in full bloom all across Portland, which is home to many iconic sights to fawn over the local flora. Listed below are the top spots to stop and smell the roses.
First up is Tryon Creek State Natural Area. In addition to the wildlife sightings and shady canopy the park is known for, the springtime allows for glimpses of trillium — a white blossom approximately the size of a palm that boasts three ruffled petals and a banana-yellow interior. It is native to North America and some parts of Asia.
Environmental studies (ENVS) major Helen Traczyk ’23 recently hiked through the park, spotting plenty of trillium from the trails. She also noticed an abundance of other bell-shaped blooms along the pathway.
“The trillium turns purple towards the end of its season,” Traczyk said. “It is really beautiful.”
Located in Washington Park, Hoyt Arboretum is an excellent spot to see magnolias and dogwood bloom. In 1922, Multnomah County sold the land to the City of Portland for $10. Initially, the city envisioned the land as being used to build houses and a golf course. However, Portland Parks Superintendent Emanuel T. Mische intervened and the land was transformed into an arboretum in 1928.
One of the most iconic flowers in Portland is the rose. The origin of Portland’s nickname — the City of Roses — comes from its ideal climate for growing roses. Take a stroll through the International Rose Test Garden from now until June to see rose buds come to life. This PDX garden holds the title for the longest-running rose test garden in the United States, serving as a testing ground for new rose varieties. It is located in Washington Park in Southwest Portland and features views of both downtown Portland and Mount Hood.
If you are interested in fragrant varieties similar to the rose, you will not be let down by the Rhododendron Garden in Southeast Portland, bordering Reed College’s campus and the Eastmoreland Golf Course. The intoxicating, sweet smells of the more fragrant blooms waft from the paths all the way to the parking lot. It also attracts a significant number of birdwatchers for its large population of local bird species and waterfowl. Be careful not to get too close to the stems of this variety as their sap can get quite sticky.
The ultimate spots to appreciate the cherry blossoms in Portland are located along Waterfront Park and the University of Portland. The Waterfront showcases 100 cherry trees of the Akebono variety. According to Travel Portland’s website, these trees were a gift from the Japanese Grain Importers Association in 1990 and have been a springtime staple in the Portland community ever since.
When discussing the buds in bloom, we cannot neglect the beauty of our own campus and all of the hard work that goes into cultivating and maintaining the grounds.
LC Groundskeeper Erik Olson shared all of the best spots to appreciate the flower blossoms on campus. Olson specifically recommended visiting the fragrant daphne, bushes with light lilac petals and large light green leaves, located around the Frank Manor House circle.
Olson also recommends stopping by the cherry blossom trees located between Templeton Campus Center and the Agnes Flanagan Chapel. Camellias, which look like a cross between a rose and a peony donning a bubblegum pink hue, can be spotted and enjoyed all over campus, according to Olson.
In addition to his work at LC, Olson enjoys exploring the different landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. When asked what hikes or locations he recommends for spring and summer exploring, Olson suggested traveling east along the Columbia River Gorge for spectacular views of wildflowers.
If taking in the flora as you hike is more your speed, check out Angel’s Rest Trailhead, Dog Mountain or the Tom McCall Nature Preserve for wildflower views that will last all summer.
For bonus floral appreciation, visit the tulip and dahlia festivals, located in Woodburn and Swan Island respectively. The Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival will run through May 2 after opening on March 19. The Swan Island Dahlia Festival’s schedule has yet to be announced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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