As we transition into spring, it’s become nearly impossible not to look around and appreciate the sea of pink cherry blossoms that have come into bloom all across the city. From the front entrance of our very own Franklin High School, to deep in the shaded hills of Washington Park, Portlanders have looked upon these trees and rejoiced in their annual spectacle. Whether to simply take in the beauty of spring, or to take the perfect seasonal photo, it is definitely worth dedicating time to visit some of the city’s most beautiful sites and appreciating the natural beauty of the cherry blossoms!
Cherry blossoms can usually be found in Portland anywhere between mid March to mid April. This spring, the trees blossomed on the earlier side due to a stretch of warmer weather early in the year. Because of this, it is all the more important to go see the blossoms in the next few weeks before they fall from the trees.
The number of beautiful spots across the city to view the blossoming trees can be somewhat overwhelming. Holly Gatson and her partner Bryan, a couple from Portland who travel the Pacific Northwest, share tips and guides for the region on adventuresnw.com. They recommend Reed College and Tom McCall Waterfront as some of their favorite spots to enjoy the blossoming trees. As the warm weather increases, some other spring highlights from Holly and Bryan include “wildflower hikes and visits to flower farms and gardens.” Notably they mention hikes on Dog Mountain and seeing flowers at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm.
The Portland Japanese Garden is another good place to view the flowers. Hailed as “the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan” by Japan’s former ambassador to the United States, the garden is an especially wonderful place to visit. Will Learner, the head of communications for the garden, says it is a particularly special experience given the “more curated collection specifically placed to create tableaus that harmonize the white and pink blooms with the many hues of green throughout our landscape.”
Aside from the cherry blossoms, the garden offers many other spring activities. “We just opened Vision of Place, a new art exhibition featuring photography of Hokkaido and that prefecture’s capital, Sapporo,” Learner says. “It’s timed to coincide with the 65th anniversary of Portland and Sapporo’s sister city relationship.” This relationship is “one of the oldest and most meaningful sister city relationships between an American and Japanese municipality.”
Make sure you get out and go see the cherry blossoms this year before it’s too late, and consider enjoying some of the other wonderful things that spring in and around Portland has to offer!
