Portland, Oregon Gardens

We headed to Woodburn, Oregon on May 23d and stayed at the Portland-Woodburn RV Park. It was difficult to find a park within 40 miles of the Portland OR/Vancouver WA area that would allow us in with Barkley. One or two places in the first half of our journey wouldn't allow certain breeds, but this was our first experience with park after park after park turning away our business. It's sad that the idiots among us who abuse pit bulls ruin the lives of so many of these wonderful dogs. At times, they also negatively effect the rest of these loving dogs and their human companions. We really appreciate the parks (and their insurers) that don't allow "aggressive dogs" - of any size or breed. It might take a little more effort than blanket breed bans, but it is the fair thing to do.


Like San Francisco and Berkeley, Portland has beautiful public gardens which are taken care of by dedicated city workers and volunteers. The Portland Rose Garden is located in Washington Park, which is also home to the Portland Japanese Garden, Hoyt Arboretum, the Oregon Zoo, museums, and tennis courts. While the histories we found of the Portland Rose Garden are a bit conflicting, it seems safe to say that the garden began in 1917 with the International Test Garden, which accepted and cared for many roses from Europe when rosarians feared they'd be destroyed in the bombings of World War I. May 24th was a drizzly day, but we managed to take some pictures between the drops at the Portland Rose Garden.


Roses and rhododendrons:


Diana Princess of Wales:


Apricot Candy:


A little cutie admiring the azaleas:


Easy Does It :




Mayflower:


Heritage:


Garden Sun:


Yellow Brick Road (with spider):




The Portland Japanese Garden is a lovely place to stroll and enjoy quiet beauty.














On May 25th, we went to Aurora, a small town that is a National Historic District. We enjoyed several antique shops and a combination antique shop/cafe with savory panini and rich Italian gelato. A shop-keeper at Time After Time recommended that we visit the Heirloom Roses Gardens just a few miles away in St. Paul, and we were so glad she did! As it turns out, Karen had bought many of our own antique roses from Heirloom Roses almost 10 years ago. We didn't get as many photos as we wanted, because the steady drizzle became a steady downpour, but the gardens were so special that we left only after we were completely soaked.

Lavender Lassie:


Great North Eastern Rose:


Honor Elizabeth:


Rosemary Harkness (has a wonderful citrus fragrance):


Pristine:


Unidentified:


Rosy Floorshow (a gorgeous velvety crimson):


Kateryna (a lovely, clear pink):


Louise Clements:




Eden:


Rose de Rescht:


Symphony:


William Lobb:


Constance Sprye, with blooms so big, the low ones lie on the ground: