Advice for Trip to Oregon at Bloom Time?

16 years ago

Hi,

I am planning a trip to Salem, Oregon for mid-May. I've wanted to travel there for years, but this will be the first time I've been able to get off of work in May.

I definitely hope to visit Schreiner's, Keppel's, Mid-America, and Cooley's.

I know that probably a lot of folks on here have traveled there. I am hoping you might share with me any hints. For instance, in planning my itinerary, I'm not sure if touring the larger gardens would take a full day? Half a day? What are the "must sees" in case weather turns out so bad that I cannot go everywhere listed above? Any places in Salem or the vicinity that are notable and worth checking out besides these hybridizers?

I'd just like to get some good ideas from those of you out there who been lucky enough to travel to the iris Mecca!

Thanks,

Mike in SC, Zone 8

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Comments (7)

criris_z8
16 years ago
Schreiner's and Cooley's are pretty much all weather. Their show gardens are surrounded by grass. They both have a show barn if it is raining to hard. Mid America and Keppel do not have a particular show garden and are planted in fields, they can become quite muddy (clay) when they are wet, but they dry fairly fast after the rain stops. Mid America has a large display of Hostas, which are lovely. Aitken's is about an hour north in Vancouver, Wa.
It will take a day to look at Schriener's and about 1/2 day each at the other three if you are really hooked.
Enjoy
Rod
terry94705
16 years ago
I'm planning a trip too, and I noticed that there is also an interesting garden (Oregon Garden) to visit in Silverton, near Cooleys.

I started out planning an overnight trip (I'm from SF area so my flight is much shorter than yours) but now I am up to 4 days. And I haven't even investigated what there might be to see in Salem or Portland! I think there is an interesting Japanese garden somewhere in the area.
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gmason
16 years ago
Terry, the Japanese Garden is nice. There's also Hoyt Arboretum. In the middle of May the Rhodendron garden should be nice. The Rose Garden is also up by the Japanese Garden. The Chinese Garden is nice. There are the falls (Multnomah, etc) up in the Columbia Gorge. A person could start a day trip going up the Old Columbia Hwy. and see Crown Point and the falls. Stop by Bonneville Dam to see Herman the Sturgeon. (He's huge)
Cross the river at Cascade Locks. Catch Mt. Pleasant Iris Nursery on the way back down the Washington side and finish at Aitken's in Vancouver.
terry94705
16 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions! I can probably squeeze in a couple more gardens, but looks like I will have to come back again next spring for the rest. Wish I had more time off!
mikesc
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for ALL this good advice--just what I was looking for.

I really appreciate it --

Mike
mareas
16 years ago
Mike, Sebright Gardens with their incredible Hosta house and stunning displays gardens is right next door to Mid America Irises. Both are 15 minutes away from Schriener's. And in the same neighborhood is Adelman's Peony Gardens. I managed to tour all of them in one long day last year and it was the best day of the year!! *grin*
Here is a link to Mid America Garden Irises which has a map showing the route from Schriener's:
http://www.mid-americagarden.com/visiting_the_garden.aspx
and here's another page with ideas for you.
Have a great trip!

Here is a link that might be useful: List of gardens to see
mikesc
Original Author
16 years ago
Mareas,
Thanks! I'm really excited about the trip. I definitely wish to see all the iris gardens (and the hostas since they are there beside Mid America)--the peony garden sounds great, too!

Thanks for the helpful link

Advice for Trip to Oregon at Bloom Time?

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Advice for Trip to Oregon at Bloom Time?

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