Someone once said, "A garden is a friend you can visit any time." In the Salem area, there's no shortage of garden friends eager to welcome you with open arms. From rich roses to hardy hostas, many local growers not only showcase their plants for sale but have also created awe-inspiring display gardens that will delight visitors of all ages.
The Salem area is home to a number of beautiful botanical gardens. One you'll definitely want to visit is the Dellbert Hunter Arboretum and Botanical Garden in Dallas, where you'll find perennials, conifers, oaks, wetland species and even dryland desert plants, thanks to the varied terrain contained within the Arboretum. Sometimes referred to as Salems secret garden, the Martha Springer Botanical Garden is located on the campus of Willamette University and offers a quiet place for contemplation and reflection.
The Oregon Garden, an 80-acre botanical wonderland located in Silverton, featuring 20 specialty gardens, a Hobbit House, water features and more. Well-behaved pets on leashes are even welcome to tour the gardens with you.
The Willamette Valley offers one of the finest climates in the world for growing roses, and you'll find thousands of them displayed on five acres of themed gardens at Heirloom Roses in St. Paul.
Roses and other fair flowers can also be found at Historic Deepwood Gardens, a 4.5-acre English-style garden surrounding Historic Deepwood Estate, created by landscape architects Elizabeth Lord and Edith Schryver in 1930. Deepwood Gardens feature covered arches and gazebos, ornamental gates and fences, and a nature trail that weaves its way through the western border of the property.
From early May to mid-June, the public is welcome at Adelman Peony Gardens, where you'll encounter a kaleidoscope of color and 250 different peony varieties. The Gardens tree peony called Hephestos received the Best of Show award at the American Peony Society's annual flower competition in 2012.
In business since 1925, Schreiner's Iris Gardens boasts 10 acres of display gardens open to the public, plus bulbs and cut flowers for sale. Bloom season at Schreiners begins mid-May, so make a plan to bring a picnic lunch (picnic tables provided) and admire the beautiful blooms.
If you're looking for hastas, be sure to visit Sebright Gardens in NE Salem, where you can explore their large display garden and then select the perfect additions for your yard, including numerous varieties of hastas, hardy ferns and other shade-loving plants.
To see what else is blooming in the Salem area, go to the Official Salem Area Website, www.TravelSalem.com.
