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Summer Flower Season |
As the sun comes out, it beckons the flower buds to awaken from their slumber across Mt. Hood Territory. It's a beautiful sight to see when spring turns to summer and, over the course of those months, a plethora of fragrant flowers show off their colors. There's something new and delightful to see in bloom with each passing day.
Each April and May the camas flower shares its varying hues of purple over a sprawling (yet surprisingly secluded) 22 acres at the Camassia Nature Preserve in West Linn. Sculpted by prehistoric floods, this unique preserve is wonderfully peaceful and also home to more than 300 different plant species, along with several trails where you could spot some of our smaller (but big on charm) native critters.
While these flowers are in bloom at the Rogerson Clematis Garden in Lake Oswego all year long, they extend their hours May through October, so there's more time to enjoy the real showstoppers of the warm season. Known as "Queen of the Vines," you can check out their What's In Bloom page to see which of your favorite majesties is in full color. They also offer special events and often have docent-led tours over holiday weekends, such as Mother's Day and Memorial Day.
In June and July one of the most beloved floral scents of them all, the tranquil notes of lavender, manifests in row after row after row (Too many rows? No!) of deep purple gloriousness. Fields at Barn Owl Nursery have extras like gift shops filled with lavender scented goodies and all sorts of other treasures. The Oregon Lavender Farm is known for their epic views, scents and products and is definitely a highlight of the season.
At the end of summer vibrant colors appear almost as if a rainbow has bloomed from the ground at Swan Island Dahlias in Canby. In August and September you can stroll through their fields, or even pack your own picnic lunch to set up at one of the many tables with stunning views. They have virtually every kind of dahlia and a lot of new varieties they've cultivated themselves. And bonus: you can bring some of the beauty home with you, as they offer pre-cut flowers and bouquets.
