Yoshino cherry trees in full bloom outside the Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC (photo by Cheryl Landes) The 2021 National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC, will feature a combination of virtual and outdoor activities March 20-April 11. The new format "honors the tradition of the Festival, while prioritizing the health and safety of … Continue reading 2021 National Cherry Blossom Festival a hybrid event
Lakewold Gardens in University Place, Washington (photo by Cheryl Landes) Learn about some of the trees in the Lakewold Gardens in University Place, Washington, south of Tacoma, in a series of virtual tours. John Wilcox, a long-time volunteer at the gardens, leads these seven tours. Each tour features a different tree. The seven videos are … Continue reading Take seven virtual tree tours at Lakewold Gardens
Flowers at Naturescaping Wildlife Botanical Gardens in Brush Prairie, Washington Photos by Cheryl Landes Naturescaping Wildlife Botanical Gardens is a series of demonstration gardens that provide ideas for gardeners looking at ways to attract birds, butterflies, and other wildlife to their backyard spaces. The three acres are tended by volunteers. Every time I go for … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: A walk at Naturescaping Wildlife Botanical Gardens
The stockade at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Vancouver, Washington Photos by Cheryl Landes The Fort Vancouver National Historic Site reopened on October 20 after being closed for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hours are limited, as are some capacities. The visitor center is open on Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. until … Continue reading Fort Vancouver National Historic Site reopens after COVID closure
The Yakima Area Arboretum in Yakima, Washington Photos by Cheryl Landes Every year, the Yakima Area Arboretum hosts a tour of some of the most beautiful gardens in or near the city. That changed this year because of safety concerns from COVID-19. Instead, the arboretum created five video tours and posted them to its YouTube … Continue reading Take a video tour of some beautiful gardens in the Yakima area
Photos by Cheryl Landes I found out about this event last night and checked it out today. More than 100,000 sunflowers are in bloom at Lee Farms in Tualatin, Oregon, this month. The farm is open Friday through Sunday until August 30 for the public to wander through the fields, pick flowers to take home, … Continue reading Plenty of tickets left for the Lee Farms Sunflower Harvest Festival this weekend in Tualatin, Oregon
Photos by Cheryl Landes The Arboretum is a 400-acre green space adjacent to the main University of Guelph (pronounced "Gwelf"*) campus with gardens, woods, wetlands, and meadows. Nature trails wind through these habitats for exploration and enjoyment. When I visited The Arboretum, the lilacs were in full bloom. The fragrance filled the air. … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: The Arboretum at the University of Guelph
Photos by Cheryl Landes Swan Island Dahlias in Canby, Oregon, is the largest dahlia grower in the country. From early August through late September, 40 acres of fields are in bloom at this farm 24 miles south of Portland. Each row contains a different color and variety of dahlia. From a distance, the fields resemble … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Swan Island Dahlias in Canby, Oregon
Photos by Cheryl Landes The Acton Arboretum, a 65-acre preserve with trails crossing meadows, gardens, and woods, is a pleasant place to go for a nature walk in the summer. The arboretum, located near Acton Center 38 miles northwest of Boston, was established in 1986. Five years later, a community organization called The Friends of … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Summer at the Acton Arboretum
Photos by Cheryl Landes The Deepwood House & Museum consists of a Queen Anne Victorian home, carriage house, greenhouse, formal beaux-arts gardens, and nature trail on five acres near the Oregon State Capitol Building and Bush's Pasture Park in Salem. Architect William Knighton designed the home and carriage house for Dr. Luke A. Port … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Deepwood House & Museum in Salem, Oregon
Tabby Cat's Pawprints 