A waterfall in the lower garden at The Grotto in Portland, Oregon Photos by Cheryl Landes The Grotto, a 62-acre shrine and botanical garden in northeast Portland, is a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of Oregon's largest city. Although it's near busy Interstate 205, you can't even hear the traffic. Trails pass tall … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: A summer stroll in The Grotto’s gardens in Portland
A lotus flower at the Hughes Water Gardens in Tualatin, Oregon Photos by Cheryl Landes Whether you're looking for garden ideas, ideas to brighten your yard, garden supplies, or you just want to browse the beautiful displays, Hughes Water Gardens is the place to go. The entrance to Hughes Water Gardens in Tualatin, Oregon This … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Hughes Water Gardens in Tualatin, Oregon
Photos by Cheryl Landes The Leach Botanical Garden in Southeast Portland, Oregon, is a pleasant place to take a walk at any time of year. The estate is located in a beautiful forest, which has more than 2,000 plant species and nature trails that are open to the public. The estate was the home of … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Leach Botanical Garden in Portland
Photos by Cheryl Landes The Ladd Circle Park and Rose Gardens are located in a beautiful residential neighborhood called Ladd's Addition in east Portland, Oregon. The 1.62-acre park has 3,000 roses representing more than 60 varieties that were popular in the early 20th century. The park is named after William Sargent Ladd, who migrated West … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Ladd Circle Park and Rose Gardens in Portland
Photos by Cheryl Landes The International Rose Test Garden at Washington Park in southwest Portland, Oregon, is among 11 American Garden Rose Selections (AGRS) test sites. The idea for the garden in Washington Park began in 1915, when Jesse A. Currey, Sunday editor of the Oregon Journal newspaper and rose hobbyists, convinced Portland city officials … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: The International Rose Test Garden at Washington Park in Portland
Photos by Cheryl Landes The Oregon Lavender Farm in Oregon City hosts the Clackamas County Lavender Festival every year. The farm is open to the public during the festival only. The 2020 festival has been cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so the pictures in today's armchair photo tour are from a trip to a … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: The Clackamas County Lavender Festival at the Oregon Lavender Farm
Photos by Cheryl Landes On the About page of the Heirloom Roses website, owners Ben and Kara Hanna wrote, "Our love of roses is deeply rooted in our knowledge that gardens go beyond just physical beauty. It provides a place of solace or social gatherings, where peace and beauty can be enjoyed to refresh a … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Heirloom Roses in Saint Paul, Oregon
Photos by Cheryl Landes The Owen Rose Garden, is an 8.5-acre park with more than 4,000 roses representing 400 varieties. Former Eugene city councilman and lumberman, George E. Owen, donated five acres of the land and his house to the city in 1951. The Eugene Rose Society donated the original 750 rose bushes. The garden … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Owen Rose Garden in Eugene, Oregon
Photos by Cheryl Landes When I worked full-time in Acton, Masschusetts, my favorite activity during lunch was taking a walk in the Acton Arboretum in the center of town. This 65-acre preserve with trails crossing meadows, gardens, and woods is a pleasant escape for 30 minutes or a few hours. Every time I visit New … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Spring at the Acton Arboretum
Photos by Cheryl Landes Kubota Garden, a hidden gem of beauty and history in of South Seattle, is my favorite garden in the city. It's the work of Fujitaro Kubota, a self-taught gardener who immigrated from Japan to Seattle in 1907. He dreamed of creating gardens that showcased the Northwest in a Japanese manner. In … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Spring at Kubota Garden in Seattle
Tabby Cat's Pawprints 