Portland and Vancouver are known for their first-class assortment of floral gardens, filled to the brim with lush greenery that have kept plant-lovers touring the city for decades. In the spirit of celebrating spring, taking a flower tour is a great activity for students looking to spend some time outdoors. With this in mind, The VanCougar introduces four flourishing spots to visit during the peak of springtime.
Cherry Blossom Trees
During the whole month of April, cherry blossoms are in full bloom, making it the best time of year to venture around the city to see impressive amounts of pink and red cherry trees. Walking under the trees’ overhanging floral canopies and smelling the sweet-cherry aroma in the air will leave you awestruck. In Vancouver, you can find these trees by Fort Vancouver, and areas near the Vancouver waterfront park. As for Portland, the most spectacular spots to visit include: Tom McCall Waterfront Park near the Japanese American Historical Plaza, inside the Hoyt Arboretum, Mt. Tabor Park and throughout various neighborhoods. Gather your friends and family for a walk around town, and be sure to catch the trees before their bloom- ing season ends mid-April.
The prime time to see fully bloomed tulips is mid-April, making the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival a must see attraction. Stated on the tulip farm’s website, this year will be the 38th annual tulip festival, with “40 acres of tulips and over 200 acres of outdoor space and activities.” Here, you can find rows and rows of tulips, each showing off a variety of colors. During the festival, the farm will host events, wine tastings and many other activities, along with the selling of fresh-cut flowers. Like clockwork, the tulips at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival bloom every spring for a short time, so take advantage of the opportunity by making a trip to Woodburn to enjoy the wonderful sights these fields have to offer. More information can be found at woodenshoe.com/events/tulip-fest/.
Being a renowned tourist space within the city, the Portland Japanese Garden has made a name for itself as, according to their website, “a place to let go of worldly thoughts and see oneself as a small but integral part of the universe.” Images of the garden do not do justice to its real ambiance – its environment offers a truly ethereal experience. While descending into the garden, visitors will find beautifully placed trees, shrubbery and unique plants positioned strategically to create a sense of peace and wonder; all towering above serene ponds crowded with multicolored koi fish swimming beneath crafted wooden bridges. On a perfect spring day, visiting the Portland Japanese Garden is undeniably a life-changing experience. For more information, visit japanesegarden.org/a-day-at-the-garden/.
Forest Park – The Grounds at Pittock Mansion
While Portland is known for fostering large amounts of trees, visitors can explore urban areas congested with dense forest, shrubs and ivy, outside of the city. The Grounds of Pittock Mansion are home to many diverse plants including roses, lilacs, tulips and more. It also makes for an ideal space to participate in birdwatching outside the mansion. Additionally, you might run into a few small animals such as deer or squirrels here and there too. With all it has to encompass, there is nothing better than being out in nature, and taking in the most beautiful scenery at Forest Park.
During the spring season, classes can get pretty stressful, which is why we encourage students to take time out of their busy schedules and discover the beauty within the limitless, peaceful and eloquent surroundings of the Pacific Northwest’s blooming flowers.
Olivia is a senior studying English at WSU Vancouver.