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The Greater Portland Iris Society cordially invites members, their familes and guests to a tour of five iris gardens on Sunday, May 25th, the Memorial Day weekend. The creators of Joyous Blossoms Iris Gardens, Hummingbird Hill Nursery, Mountain View Iris Garden, Wildwood Gardens and Abbey Gardens will graciously offer their gardens for your visitation.

Responses to this kind of experience are often heightened when shared. You might want to or settling on a time and place for a shared lunch with your fellow gardeners. Grow iris, but cultivate friends.

Q: How does a “garden trek” work?

The gardens are located at the four corners of the Portland metro area. While it is not expected that a particular route be followed, it is hoped that you would make an effot to visit all sites on tour in appreciation of the efforts of your hosts.

Some locations may have limited parking. To help with this, and to enhance your enjoyment, consider arranging a carpool with friends.

Dress for the weather. This event is suitable for gardeners of all skill levels and families are welcome (however, no dogs allowed in the gardens, please.) Please be aware, there will be NO restroom facilities available at the gardens. Make arrangements elsewhere.

Garden trek hours start at 8 a.m. (unless otherwise noted), and continue until 7 p.m. You don’t have to be an early bird to see the iris, but we recommend that you allow at least 1 hour per garden you view, in addition to driving time. We do not guarantee wheelchair access.

Q: What will you see?

It all depends on what’s in season, but tall bearded iris, Siberian iris, various species iris and Spuria iris are usually in bloom this time of year. Additionally, you can see historic iris at some gardens while the hybridizers will have their newest creations to admire.

Q: What gardens will be open?

This garden trek is designed to allow gardeners to visit private gardens that would not normally be open to the public. Abbey Gardens (Molalla), Wildwood Gardens (Molalla), Mountain View Iris Gardens (Boring/Sandy), Hummingbird Hill Nursery (Camas-Washougal), and Joyous Blossoms Iris Gardens (Hillsboro) will be on the tour.

While we don't expect you to fit everything into one day, you are also urged to visit member gardens not included on this tour: Schreiner's Iris Gardens, Cooley's Gardens, Aitken's Salmon Creek Garden, and Mid-American Garden.

Hummingbird Hill Nursery showcased iris in a cottage garden environment, highlighting the texture of iris as well as the color.

Joyous Blossoms Iris Gardens provided ideas on organization and design with raised beds and showers of iris color.

Abbey Gardens provided a little bit of everything and some glimpses into hybridizing future.

Tucked away off the Molalla river, Wildwood Gardens has a fabulous collection of Pacific Coast Native and species iris.

By the end of the day, there was almost too much to admire at Mountain View Iris Gardens but the iris still captured attention.