Delight in Eugene’s Spring Gardens
For some, it’s been a long winter. Others may be counting the days until next winter. But while we’re here, and the sun has pushed enough snow aside to reveal her green shoots and sprouts, let’s get out there to watch them grow. As we eagerly await flowers to bloom and skies to stay clear blue, we thought we’d devote this month to Eugene and the surrounding area’s gardens. We've found all the public parks, natural landscapes and preserves, secret gardens, and arboretums with enough winding paths and inspiring ornamentations to keep you occupied for days. Here are some of the best gardens for strolling during these temperamental spring months, but don’t take our word for it; visit!
Hendricks Park is more than 100 years old and is home to the world-renowned rhododendron garden, a 65 acre forest, and a native plant garden. Walk among 200-year-old Douglas fir trees, wildflowers, and in the right season, more than 6,000 varieties of ornamental plants, including azaleas, magnolias and viburnums. Always lush with views of the city skyline, this garden park is delightful year-round. The rhododendrons peak in May, making that the most colorful month, but even before or after their voluptuous blooms, enjoy the many shades of green and native plantings. The garden features large open lawns and level paths that adjoin steep and narrow paths crisscrossing the hillside. Woodsy trails connect to the garden area for those seeking a more vigorous hiking experience.
Delta Ponds is a wetlands wildlife sanctuary that has the atmosphere of a wilderness garden. Wander the well kept paths around the ponds next to the Willamette River and cross many a bridge to admire nature in its undisturbed state. It’s a top spot for birding and wildlife watching as the water and shorelines are home to herons, geese, ducks, turtles, beavers, otters and countless other fauna. Wheelchairs and strollers may manage fairly well on the flatter, smooth stretches of packed pathway.
Moss-covered, damp, and mysterious, the Secret Garden at the Belknap Hot Springs Resort is a worthy wander. Cycle or walk the riverfront hot springs resort's many paths and hiking trails through open meadows, past cabins and into dark woods to discover a stunning hidden oasis. Combine time in the garden with a soak in their hot springs-fed swimming pool for the perfect soul soothing escape. (More about the springs next month.)
An interpretive boardwalk spans an 18-acre natural preserve of carnivorous Cobra Lilies at Darlingtonia-Wayside in Florence. A rare plant that "eats" meat, the Darlingtonia attracts and traps insects, which dissolve inside its stalk and then are absorbed by the plant. This unusual flower is striking to observe year round, but in the spring it blooms with purplish petals for an even more dramatic look. A picnic area is onsite, so pack a lunch and eat along with the Cobra Lilies!
The eight acre Owen Rose Garden may still be hibernating during spring and not yet have its trellis walk and pavilion enshrouded with blooms, but April ushers in the garden’s first cherry blossoms, and the early roses start to flourish as early as May. So don’t wait to walk the paths; soak up the bird song, spot the buds and sprouts and enjoy the glorious transformation in-action. And when the time is right, the garden will burst with blooms from 400 varietes of roses. Combine an outing to the Owen Rose Garden with a bicycle ride along the river or lunch in downtown Eugene.
The Mount Pisgah Arboretum is a natural preserve for native plant species growing in a variety of habitats. Visit rain or shine to follow trails wind through meadows, oak savannas, woodlands and along the river. Some paths are steep, muddy and more challenging; others are flat and wide-open. Informative artwork and interpretive stations in the wetlands and cedar exhibits make the tour interactive.
When the magnolia trees start to bloom in April, Ruff Park is an enchanting place to visit. Waltz beneath 400 magnolia trees in the ten-acre arboretum and admire other ornamental trees, shrubs, and flowers, too. The paved pathways provide an easy route for wheelchairs and strollers, and keep your feet mud-free. There are picnic tables, interpretive signs, and wide open lawns to run and play.
The family-friendly Garden Lake Park has something for everyone, be it fishing, canoeing, hiking, birdwatching, or picnicking. Want to know more about the nature you see? Visit the interpretative pavilion for a full display on the local flora and fauna that may be spotted across the 33 acre parkland. A memorial to the early pioneers that passed through this area is also located here. Round out the visit by picking up lunch from nearby Creswell Bakery.
Alton Baker Park is Eugene’s largest riverfront park and has everything from meandering paths and gardens to solar system installation and art work. Take time to look at the Kalapuya Talking Stones, a native plant nursery and the Nobel Peace Park monument. Stroll around the edges of the pond, watching the ducks and enjoy the spring landscape as the cherry trees start to blossom. Large stepping stones across the water lead to a little landscaped island.
That may feel like too much to do in a weekend, but that just means you’ll have to come back to Eugene. And make sure to stay at the Gordon Hotel when you do!