The Official Guide to Portland Tucked among the tall trees and wooded trails of Washington Park lies the Portland Japanese Garden landmark and tribute to the cultural ties between Oregon and Japan Eight distinct meticulously crafted garden styles and a robust programming schedule honor and showcase Japan’s architectural Access to the Portland Japanese Garden via SW Tichner Dr. / West Burnside is temporarily closed to vehicle traffic due to a landslide. More details are available on the Portland Bureau of Transportation website became sister cities and decades after World War II propelled anti-Japanese sentiment in the U.S. the Portland Japanese Garden was born in 1963 as a healing site for cross-cultural exchange and community respite the nonprofit garden has grown into an internationally renowned institution welcoming nearly half a million visitors annually While nature remains a focal point of the Portland Japanese Garden the expansive site has grown to include a gallery nearly 300 Japanese gardens are open to the public first designed by Professor Takuma Tono of Tokyo Agricultural University is unique in encompassing numerous garden architectural styles The Portland Japanese Garden is built on steep While the garden welcomes visitors of all abilities including those assisted by service animals only certain areas are ADA accessible: the Flat Garden (including an overlook to view the Sand and Stone Garden) the Pavilion Gallery and the Cultural Village which includes the Umami Café Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center A free ADA-accessible shuttle bus from the Welcome Center ticket booth to the Cultural Village circumvents some of the steeper parts of the garden Free docent-led tours offering American Sign Language interpretation are available for deaf and hard of hearing individuals and their companions with advanced registration so visitors should bring their own mobility devices Additional accessibility information can be found online, including a map noting which paths are paved, unpaved and uneven. Visitors to the Portland Japanese Garden are ushered into the gardens by giant Alaskan cedar and Japanese red and black pine. Throughout the gardens, tree varieties include beech, cherry, flowering dogwood, Japanese and vine maple, and countless other Pacific Northwest and Japanese plants and shrubs, such as boxwood, rhododendron, azalea, camellia, wisteria, tree peony, fern, yew and more. Located on a steep hillside with stunning views of downtown Portland, the city’s many bridges and Mount Hood, the Portland Japanese Garden campus is accessed via a brief hike up the winding pathway from the Welcome Center to the Cultural Village. Surrounding the path, the Entry Garden combines Japanese architectural style with Pacific Northwest native plants like trillium, bleeding hearts, huckleberries and cascading ponds. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Portland Japanese Garden (@portlandjapanesegarden) The lush, mossy Tea Garden was designed with a stone walking path, said to help visitors shed their concerns about the outside world. The Kashintei Tea House is a prominent structure, originally constructed in Japan, with a more rural style than other tea houses on the garden grounds. A short walk over the Moon Bridge brings visitors into the Strolling Pond Garden, which typically displays wealth in Japan but here reflects the richness of the landscape. The Lower Pond is renowned for its zig-zag bridge, composed of eight planks, and as the home of enormous, vibrant koi fish. Japanese iris help frame the garden waterfall, Heavenly Falls. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Portland Japanese Garden (@portlandjapanesegarden) the Natural Garden is full of leafy trees and plants most notably the Pacific Northwest native vine maple deliberately placed to show off its changes through the seasons The Sand and Stone Garden is a dry landscape garden that embraces the beauty of blank space and features aesthetically raked sand these elements culminate in a peaceful place to rest and reflect which can be best enjoyed from the Pavilion Gallery deck It combines various elements into a serene four-season tableau with azalea shrubs and lace-leaf maple trees you’ll find rotating exhibitions from renowned Japanese artists Connect with Portland’s rich Japanese-American heritage at sites around the city Float amid the forest in this glass-walled tea house staffed by attentive, knowledgeable servers. This intimate café allows guests to sip Japanese teas expertly paired with light refreshments such as chewy pillows of red bean-filled mochi and honeycomb castella cake. Savory snackers will relish warming bowls of miso soup and sinus-awakening wasabi-doused bowls of ochazuke, delicate green tea over wild rice. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Portland Japanese Garden (@portlandjapanesegarden) Take home a souvenir to commemorate your visit to the Portland Japanese Garden the gift shop showcases a small but comprehensive selection of unique items — some of which are imported from Japan and cannot be found anywhere else in the United States including aziome indigo-dyed textiles and scarves delicate incense and high-quality Japanese kitchen knives The gift shop also provides gift wrapping and shipping services with additional charges The Portland Japanese Garden hosts regular programming, including tours, rotating exhibitions, traditional tea ceremonies, cultural festivals, artistic performances, interactive workshops, curator conversations and more. Check the robust online calendar for upcoming events Free hour-long tours are offered, rain or shine, Wednesdays–Mondays. Tours are included with the cost of admission, but advanced online registration is required which meet at the “Tour Start” sign in front of the Ellie M Hill Bonsai Terrace in the Cultural Village This serene woodland sanctuary in Northeast Portland features 62 acres (25 hectares) of lush botanical gardens This year-round wonder houses an authentic Ming Dynasty-style garden built by Suzhou artisans offering a peaceful escape in Portland’s historic Chinatown Round out your floral explorations of the Rose City with a visit to Southeast Portland’s lush Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden The park boasts more than 2,500 rhododendrons visitorinfo@travelportland.com1-888-503-3291 (toll free)503-427-1372Monday–Sunday 1132 SW Harvey Milk St #104,Portland, OR 97205 Get the guide Local BusinessesMediaMeeting PlannersTravel Industry ProfessionalsEvent Organizers We are a promoter and steward of this evolving city and its progressive values which have the power to transform the travelers who visit us plants appear ready to bust free of their beds in landscaper James McCain’s garden Raspberry and deep-blue spikes of mountain fleece and lobelia poke through a meadowy tangle of yellow daisy-like sneezeweeds Shrubby clusters of violet-blue October Sky asters are paced like stanchions along the borders’ edge as if to hold back the ebullient crowd Bees and butterflies enjoy their last hurrah too and the air hums with the beating of their tiny wings To create this joyful garden behind his 1961 South Portland ranch, McCain, a landscape designer, took cues from the wildflower fields around his family’s vacation home in Cushing “It’s forgiving — you don’t have to put a lot of time into it post-World War II neighborhood six years ago the landscape was mostly “mucky soil and weeds that had been mowed like a lawn,” McCain says removing a pair of muffin-topped yews that framed the front door and replacing a red maple with a shorter Winter King hawthorn whose berries attract flocks of birds in winter They planted a shallow channel of golden Alexanders and sedges in a wet area near the sidewalk and a hedge-like formation of dwarf arborvitaes along the house’s sides which had been overrun with invasive Norway maples Clockwise from top left: Patrick Jones McCain and James McCain with boxer-terrier mix Finn; a backdrop of black spruces and Atlantic white cedars provides cover for birds seeking seeds and insects in the garden; lacy spent petals; alliums; a spider awaits a meal; the small oval lawn where the couple entertains McCain had no master plan for the backyard beyond the vision of a small oval lawn ringed with wildflowers where he and Patrick could host friends “I call it improv: I know how things are going to grow and relate to each other geums — that provide a natural mulch and don’t compromise the larger perennials,” McCain says The garden rolls through a series of peak blooms “We might have friends over for dinner in June and they’re amazed because it’s a different garden each time,” McCain says he does a spring pruning to delay flowering and minimize legginess It results in undulating clouds of white mountain-mint blossoms in September when the garden burgeons and other plants appear ready to bust free of their beds “It’s like a bit of sculpting within a wilder garden,” McCain says “something calm and flowing to rest the eye.” Subscribe Now June/July 2024 1. Oregon: From late May through October, some ten thousand rosebushes in Portland’s International Rose Test Garden burst into bloom. Varieties include Southern favorites like the pink Savannah and the pale-yellow Fairhope. View this post on Instagram A post shared by International Rose Test Garden (@portlandrosegardens) 2. Washington: A short walk from the fish vendors and the flagship Starbucks in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, North Carolina native Art Stone launched Honest Biscuits to share the gravy-topped delicacies his grandmother taught him to bake. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Honest Biscuits (@honestbiscuits) 3. Montana: Since 1900, Chico Hot Springs Resort has lured travelers to its restorative waters, but nowadays, folks also come for a twelve-course sampler menu of Paradise Valley flavors at its Tasting Room, helmed by Nashville-reared executive chef Dave Wells. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chico_Hot_Springs (@chico_hot_springs) 4. Wyoming: At the A Bar A guest ranch, horseback riding trails weave through the Medicine Bow Mountains, and the North Platte River teems with trout. View this post on Instagram A post shared by A Bar A Ranch (@abararanch) 5. California: Napa’s Chuck Williams Culinary Arts Museum drips with butter molds, fanciful tureens, and other kitchen curios collected by the late Williams-Sonoma founder and Floridian. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Williams Sonoma (@williamssonoma) 6. In Santa Monica, North Carolinian Laura Vinroot Poole’s fashion shines at her Charlotte boutique Capitol’s sister location 7. At Alta Adams in Los Angeles chefs Keith Corbin and Daniel Patterson give soul food some Golden State twists: fried chicken with Fresno hot sauce and black-eyed pea fritters with a garlicky green dip 8. Arizona: Tucson locals snack on bacon popcorn and frog legs at the Parish restaurant co-owned by Louisiana-raised Bryce Zeagler 9. Summertime birders at the Nature Conservancy’s Ramsey Canyon Preserve near the Mexican border can spot broad-billed, white-eared, violet-crowned, calliope, and blue-throated hummingbirds. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Terri Kurtz (@wild.boulder.photo) 10. New Mexico: Georgia-raised conservationist and philanthropist Ted Turner rolls out the red carpet at his 550,000-acre-plus Vermejo guest ranch and nature reserve. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vermejo (@vermejoreserve) 11. Minnesota: Prince’s family hailed from Louisiana, but he made his home in Minneapolis, where he shopped for soul on vinyl at Electric Fetus record store 12. Missouri: Big respect for Midwestern barbecue: Kansas City’s Gates Bar-B-Q has been serving its ribs in thick, sweet sauce since 1946. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gates Bar-B-Q (@gatesbbqkc) 13. In St. Louis, a former shoe factory became the City Museum 14. Illinois: Scratch Brewing in Ava sits on seventy-five rural acres and chanterelle mushrooms to make flavorful statements on tap 15. Chicago’s Atelier restaurant only opened last year Kentucky–born chef Christian Hunter has already guided it to a Michelin star 16. Michigan: The glamorous Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island feels a bit like the Cloister meets the Greenbrier and Southerners (and plenty of others) have been summering there since the 1880s 17. Vermont: One of the world’s top decoy and sporting art collections resides at the Shelburne Museum. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shelburne Museum (@shelburnemuseum) 18. Renowned Arkansas chef Matt McClure took over the five-restaurant culinary scene at the cozy Woodstock Inn & Resort 19. Connecticut: From a little shop in Bantam, the living pottery legends Guy Wolff and his son turn out clay treasures based on historic garden pots.  20. Massachusetts: In Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, locals tout Linda Jean’s for blueberry pancakes and bottomless coffee. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Linda Jeans Restaurant (@lindajeansmv) 21. New York: At Atlanta-born chef Chris McDade’s Gus’s Chop House and Popina, two elegant eateries in Brooklyn, hash browns come with trout roe, and porterhouses mellow in a brown sugar brine. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gus’s (@gus_bklyn) 22. Delaware: The Mt. Cuba Center gardens near Wilmington inspired Virginia-born tastemaker Bunny Williams’s own use of native plants. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mt. Cuba Center (@mtcubacenter) Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain wonderland still sparkles These top-notch bakeshops let flour-free customers have their cake—and pies The future of conservation in the South just got a little bit brighter—and not just for salamanders but they’re the craftsmanship of local crustaceans called lawn lobsters The drawls are receiving a lot of flak across the internet but a North Carolina linguist argues they’re actually pretty accurate This is just a heads-up for those in the Pine Tree State who love some good old-fashioned salad and breadsticks Listen, we all love Olive Garden—what’s not to love You get fantastic value with generous portions Maine has several Olive Garden locations, including Bangor, Augusta, Auburn, and South Portland These restaurants are part of a nationwide chain with over 900 locations in more than 700 cities and they won't be limited to just Maine All 900+ restaurants across the country will be undergoing these adaptations Inflation is tough—we all feel it, and prices are on the rise everywhere. We all wish things weren't so expensive but it seems there's no avoiding it right now During a recent earnings call, the parent company of Olive Garden, Darden Restaurants announced plans to increase menu prices across all their restaurants Olive Garden's prices are expected to rise by 2% to 3% company officials acknowledged that their prices had actually been undervalued for the past five years estimating they were about 20% lower than they should have been This adjustment aims to better reflect the true value of their products going forward We’re not certain when these changes will take effect in our Pine Tree State but we wanted to give you a heads-up that changes are coming Gallery Credit: Tommy McNeill This is just a heads-up for those in the Pine Tree State who love some good old-fashioned salad and breadsticks.\nRead More This is just a heads-up for those in the Pine Tree State who love some good old-fashioned salad and breadsticks Listen, we all love Olive Garden—what’s not to love Maine has several Olive Garden locations, including Bangor, Augusta, Auburn, and South Portland Inflation is tough—we all feel it, and prices are on the rise everywhere. We all wish things weren't so expensive During a recent earnings call, the parent company of Olive Garden, Darden Restaurants by Ryan Munn SOUTH PORTLAND (WGME) -- A program in South Portland that helps residents turn their yards and gardens organic is back for another year It’s called "100 Resilient Yards," and they are still looking for volunteers The town is encouraging its residents to grow specific types of plants and vegetables that require less watering and maintenance and are more resilient “What we want to do is start back up with how we build a foundation from healthy soils and then put native plants to attract native wildlife and help ecosystems flourish and thrive,” South Portland Sustainability Director Julie Rosenbach said Rosenbach began spearheading this program last year We had 25 volunteers and eight partner organizations we are focusing on native habitat gardens and vegetable gardens in order to simplify our process and make the program more manageable you’ll say my first preference is a vegetable garden or a native garden,” Rosenbach said applied for the program last year hoping to grow healthier plants and vegetables “One of the options they had was to put in raised beds and it was perfect for me because I live in a neighborhood with a bunch of kids and I wanted to promote gardening and fresh food Kind of model that for them and gets them engaged,” Torraca said If you are a South Portland resident and are interested in applying or becoming a volunteer, you can visit the website HERE SOUTH PORTLAND (WGME) -- With warmer temps on the way Mainers are getting ready for the gardening season Broadway Gardens in South Portland has been busy helping Mainers get their home gardens started They say you can start planting perennials right now Now is the time to start prepping your pots and plants Broadway Gardens is expecting to get much busier “This year there hasn’t been that day where it gets into the mid-60s yet as soon as that happens this place will be flooded with people,” said Phillip Roberts The Official Guide to Portland With well over 500 food carts as of 2024, no other city on Earth does street food quite like Portland. (Wondering why we say “food carts,” not “food trucks,” or how Portland’s food carts became so popular? We’ve got answers.) Portland is known for our unique system of organizing food carts into “pods”: permanent collections of carts, often with seating and other amenities, allowing diners to explore a variety of offerings in a single location. To explore every food cart pod in Portland, try our Food Cart Finder which lets you filter pods and carts by cuisine With so many options, it can be hard to choose — here’s a curated selection of can’t-miss pods in each of Portland’s quadrants Some stand out for their abundance of options Some have fun amenities like lawn games and live music But they all have one thing in common: delicious food “Food” in Portland can mean so many things and there’s always more delicious exploring to be done — from food carts to farmers’ markets (and award-winning restaurants the Portland food scene is an eclectic culinary haven The Third Avenue Food Cart Pod is home to carts offering fare from Mexico, Egypt, Thailand and Vietnam. Once you’ve got your meal, stroll to Tom McCall Waterfront Park and pull up a bench (or find a spot on the grass) — it’s an instant picnic Located just steps from a busy MAX Light Rail station, the Midtown Beer Garden sates downtowners’ daytime appetites with offerings like Korean tacos or Asian-fusion rice bowls at Korean Twist the beer garden now accommodates up to 300 diners and hosts events A favorite of late-nighters, Cartopia hosts Potato Champion, which dishes up crispy, twice-fried Belgian-style fries and gravy-doused poutine (pretty much perfect post-drinking food). Chicken and Guns heats up the night with its wood-fired Latin chicken sea-salted potatoes and an addictive Peruvian sauce made from cilantro The Springwater Cart Park “super pod” (formerly Cartlandia) in Southeast Portland is home to roughly 30 carts representing cuisines from all over the world then chow down in the expansive seating area From comforting aloo gobi to softball-sized samosas explore our non-comprehensive local’s guide to excellent Portland Indian food trucks and takeout Stop by this friendly food cart for authentic Yucatecan cuisine Enjoy regional specialties like poc chuc (pork marinated in citrus) served with beans vegan and gluten-free options are available Find Pacific Northwest-inspired Mexican brunch with generous burritos tacos and refreshing smoothies at this Southeast Portland food cart This popular food cart is owned by Oswaldo Bibiano serving delicious and generously proportioned burritos Wash it all down with a draft beer or a margarita Chef Air immigrated to America from Laos and opened Thai Champa food cart to share her love of cooking with Portland This cart’s menu items include Thai favorites like Pad See Ew Pizza Rosalie offers a simple menu of made-to-order A new type of eatery acts as an incubator for small businesses while offering indoor seating and regular events great for groups Here’s the ultimate guide to Portland food halls and draft beers from the adjacent Migration Brewing Craft Collective The Portland Mercado was heavily damaged by fire on January 3 The carts are currently open for take-out only With a variety of carts offering Colombian, Cuban, Mexican and Peruvian specialties, Portland Mercado is a must-visit spot for lovers of Latin American flavors The pod is anchored by brick-and-mortar German pub Prost!, where you’re welcome to eat your cart meal if you buy a drink. (Lagers go great with bulgogi burritos!) Cocktail cart Bloodbuzz offers drinks as well There’s a reason foodies flock to Portland restaurants and bars — follow our three-day tour de fork for an ample taste of the best food city in America The Mercado is a food cart pod and also a hub of Latine culture and local entrepreneurship and may be one of the city’s most delicious destinations Portland is home to authentic eateries from every corner of Latin America pupusas and burritos; read on for some of the best Latinx-owned restaurants and food carts in Portland The full-service Rose City Food Park pod houses about a dozen carts and features frequent live music. Enjoy fresh Vietnamese food at Vivi’s Yummy Rolls or satisfy your sweet tooth with an indulgent Nutella-stuffed pancake at Rocket Breakfast. Anchored by Baerlic Brewing (“baerlic” means “of barley” in Old English), the 10 food carts at Barley Pod include La Arepa (Venezualen street food), Eat Well (rice bowls) and Bam Pow Burgers. Add your food cart to both our Food Cart Finder and Near Me Now tools with just a few quick steps International offerings abound at Piedmont Station, a Northeast Portland pod. Enjoy flaky fish and chips at The Original Halibuts, gooey grilled cheese sandwiches at Melt, satisfying Italian street food at Bari and more Amenities include a wide range of indoor and outdoor seating options a play area for kids and on-site restrooms Sitting near the border of North and Northeast Portland, Park the Carts offers a variety of tempting carts plus plentiful covered seating from burgers to sushi burritos; wash it all down with a beer or a soda from the adjoining bar For those craving a meal in a brick-and-mortar spot Portland has no shortage of top-notch restaurants After working up an appetite at the weird and wonderful Freakybuttrue Peculiarium, stop by the nearby Slabtown Food Carts pod Offerings include tempting teriyaki and Mexican-inspired fare Don't stop with the largest independent bookstore in the world; these seven other shops offer an abundance of literary riches and peppermint add extra flavor to your cooking but growing your own herb garden can do more than enhance your recipes Herbs are popular sellers at Broadway Gardens in South Portland Owner and grower Philip Roberts says most are easy to grow at home "Unless you're in a greenhouse atmosphere or a really nice sunroom you're probably never going to be able to do quite as well as you do outside in a nice sunny area in a nice enriched garden bed," said Roberts There are dozens of options for common herbs Roberts advises planting one kind of herb per pot Roberts says it's common to replace basil two or three times a year will likely last the year with multiple cuts Catnip is very adaptable and can even survive through winter "The cats just have a blast with this especially the fresh stuff," Roberts said But you probably don't want to cook with catnip If you don't want to cook with any of them the powerful aromas in some herbs can repel mosquitos "I know the lemon verbena works like that Those keep away the mosquitos," said Roberts make sure you grow a lot of the herbs and spread them out Roberts says keeping an herb garden can be a great de-stresser It's great for people's psyches," said Roberts Roberts calls it a win-win for you and your taste buds This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Oregon iris (Iris tenax) is a native plant suitable for gardens in western Oregon Growing a garden in Western Oregon is easier when you include native plants That’s because native plants are adapted to our wet winters and dry summers Native plants also provide benefits to native pollinators and other wildlife This publication also includes an illustrated list of Pacific Northwest native plants that are easy to establish and grow A wide variety of native plants — from trees to flowering shrubs annuals and groundcovers — are available for home gardens “native plants” are considered to be those found naturally at the time of European settlement in Northwestern Oregon Western Oregon is part of a large ecological region that includes thousands of plants while many plants extend south into California or north to Washington and Canada Not all native plants are suitable for garden use The few hundred that are most commonly used in garden settings are sometimes referred to as “ornamental.” Although this publication provides some basic plant choices the “Resources” section includes many outstanding references Pacific Northwest native plants grow under a wide range of garden conditions Some are good accent plants; others are groundcovers Many native plants tolerate summer drought All are adapted to local climates and soils in their places of origin Native plants have grown in our region for thousands of years They are adapted to our regional climate — wet winters and dry summers most native plants benefit from regular irrigation Keep in mind that some native plants are from moist woodland or wetland habitats Also keep in mind that native plants may be adapting to a warming climate That means some plants from southern Oregon or California may now be appropriate in parts of northwest Oregon Native plants in this publication are well-adapted to native soils often found in gardens west of the Cascades But garden soil often is not “native” soil since it may have been altered during construction and by gardening Garden soil types and climates vary greatly so a particular native plant may or may not be appropriate for the conditions or microclimates in your garden choose the right plant for the right place Native plants provide habitat and food for birds such as this rufous hummingbird sipping nectar from red-flowering currant trees and herbaceous plants provide nectar for hummingbirds and many types of insects Seeds and berries nurture birds and other wildlife Shrubs and trees provide shelter and nesting sites for birds Other plants serve as hosts (food sources) for the caterpillar stages of native butterflies and moths or as nectar sources for adult butterflies see the plant list and “Gardening for wildlife” and “Butterfly host plants” in “Resources.” Some may wish to build a garden designed to attract butterflies Pollinators are important not only for many ornamental plants but also for wild areas and agricultural success moths and other insects — visit many different kinds of flowers looking for nectar and pollen they move pollen from one plant or flower to another pollination benefits both the plants and the pollinators be cautious when using any kind of pesticide that might harm the pollinators choose from plants that support pollination plant a variety of flowering plants that bloom at different times of the year find multiple sources; this may extend the bloom time because they might each derive from different genetic stock Pacific Northwest native plants are already established in balanced so they have little or no potential to become invasive pests in our wild and natural areas Check GardenSmart under “References” to find alternatives for some species that are invasive in Oregon Did you know that you can grow some native plants on your patio in pots alumroot and many others work well as potted plants This is especially true if you grow plants attracting butterflies or moths since leaves are the food source for the caterpillar stage of their life cycle Sometimes butterflies and moths will choose only one or a few native plants to support their reproduction These plants are often called butterfly hosts Selecting native plants for your home landscape is essentially the same process you would use for selecting any garden plant Match your plant list with conditions already existing or easily created in your garden Cultivars offer specific plant characteristics A note in the plant descriptions below will identify species which may have cultivars available If you want specific cultivars or varied color forms species native to Oregon are widespread in other areas as well Different forms of these species are native in different areas so a particular form might not be native to Oregon bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is native to many regions of the United States Other widespread species include red-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea) Oregon sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) you will need to know the origin of cultivars or plants you choose it is important to use locally adapted plants These forms perform better in the wetter soils west of the Cascade Mountains than ponderosa pines native to the east side Gardeners sometimes assume that native plants can fend for themselves But once these plants are part of a tended garden they are no longer in a natural setting and require some care to perform their best This plant list contains information about some of the native plants appropriate for home gardens and landscapes This list contains plants that are relatively easy to grow and available locally Following are a few possible combinations suitable for the novice gardener Enhance a shady spot with one or more vine maples an early-flowering large shrub such as osoberry a tall summer perennial such as goatsbeard alumroot and a groundcover of native violets or wood sorrel Mix brightly flowering shrubs such as blue blossom Use a groundcover of wild strawberry or bearberry Provide both nectar and host plants (food plants for caterpillars) by featuring mockorange western azalea and Nootka rose under a bitter cherry tree goldenrod and a groundcover of coastal strawberry Add one small tree such as vine maple or western crabapple if space is available Add shrubs like western azalea and evergreen huckleberry Fill in with smaller plants like sword fern all planted between pavers for separation and viewing up-close Feature shrubs or smaller plants by planting them in pots Plant some trees such as alder or western crabapple and some large shrubs such as red-twig dogwood Pioneer tree that grows well in poor or wet soils Small deciduous tree or large shrub to 30 feet Forest understory tree; prefers moist soil Leaves not as attractive when grown in cultivation as in wild habitats Fragrant clusters of greenish- white flowers in spring Shrubbier forms native to east of Cascade Mountains also available Tall evergreen conifer 75–150 feet in cultivation Dark green to blue-green foliage with new growth in lighter shades Suitable for home landscapes in spacious gardens when planted away from buildings Tree has become symbolic of the Pacific Northwest Small deciduous tree or large shrub to 40 feet white to pinkish- white flower clusters in spring Yellow to reddish-purple fruits ripen late summer Tall evergreen conifer to 165 feet or more Medium to tall deciduous tree to 100 feet or more plant in well-drained soil with little or no summer moisture Buff-colored bark textured like jigsaw puzzle pieces yellowish-green to dark green needles in bundles of three Look for Willamette Valley or other forms from west of Cascades that tolerate soil moisture Do not plant close to buildings because of large size deciduous tree or large shrub with graceful arching form Fruits are samaras with widely spread wings Tiered branches resemble those of Japanese maple Species often used in azalea breeding programs Numerous clusters of pale blue to deep lilac-blue flowers in summer Selected color forms and varieties available in shades of red flat-topped clusters of creamy white flowers Control size by cutting tallest trunks at base every 2–4 years Look for native forms of this widespread species deciduous multistemmed shrub or small tree to 15 feet or more Flat-topped clusters of yellowish-white flowers multistemmed shrub or small tree to 20 feet elongated clusters of creamy-white flowers followed by bright red berrylike fruit May require additional moisture during establishment Inconspicuous greenish flowers followed by salmon-colored to bright red berries in early summer Plant in soil rich in organic matter such as composted fir bark bell-like flowers followed by red fruits in summer bright white flowers in long clusters in late spring To control size and keep flowers low on the shrub prune oldest individual canes to the base after flowering Considered to be best ornamental mockorange in U.S multistemmed deciduous shrub to 8 feet or more white flowers in dense 2- to 3-inch clusters in late spring Slow-growing when young; can be difficult to establish Spent fruit remains on shrub until following season making an elegant tall groundcover for part to full shade glossy compound leaves with bronze- copper new foliage Small deciduous tree or large multibranched shrub Pendulous clusters of green and white flowers emerge in late winter Large evergreen shrub or small tree to 25 feet May require additional water because of mountain or coastal origin Spreads underground to form thick colonies; often used as high groundcover Small leaves with yellow to orange fall color Large evergreen shrub or small tree to 20 feet 6- to 12-inch pendulous catkins in late winter Male plants considered to be more highly ornamental multistemmed deciduous shrub to 11 feet or more Gray-green leaves with silvery white undersides 3-inch pyramid-shaped clusters of purplish-pink to deep rose flowers fading to pink Vivid pink to purple flowers in cauliflower-shape clusters One of our finest groundcovers for full sun; forms creeping mats Best in well-drained soil; tolerates sterile soils Too much moisture and shade can foster fungal disease Cultivars available; look for West Coast-named cultivars or native wild types Deciduous herbaceous groundcover to 2 feet starlike flowers on stiff stalks in spring Spreads underground; valuable as a groundcover for shade Spreading evergreen groundcover to 9 inches Vigorous groundcover for sun; spreads by short Aggressive groundcover for areas where no other herbaceous plants are present Selected color forms or cultivars available such as ‘Palace Purple.’ Good for pot culture Readily reseeds and spreads underground; can be aggressive Can spread aggressively in a garden setting Selected color forms and varieties available Dainty blue to violet flowers with yellow eye in summer blue-eyed grass is actually in the iris family Considered to be the most ornamental of U.S Reseeds readily; can be weedy in well-watered areas Needs site with spring moisture and summer dryness Basal rosette of leaves with tall flowering stems but has smaller red and yellow nodding flowers in summer Best in moist shade with regular summer water Woodland herbaceous or semievergreen perennial to 3’ Self-seeds prolifically; very easy to grow Good in a woodland garden or as a groundcover Plumes of tiny white flowers in summer Resembles astilbe Male plants have showier flowers; female plants self-seed prolifically Can be too prolific in moist soils; can become weedy Good choice for a meadow garden or flower border Considered to be one of the best native irises for home gardens Requires dry summer soil with only moderate water often with crimson or brownish-red spots.Does best in wet or watered areas in sun Low-growing herbaceous perennial to 2 feet tall Lowland forms are taller and greener than mountain or Columbia Gorge forms each with white bracts.Slow or rapid spreader Everlasting flowers can be dried for flower arranging Herbaceous perennial with woody base to 4 feet Blue to dark purple or violet flowers in summer Considered best native penstemon for gardens west of Cascades Short clusters of bright yellow flowers in late spring or early summer Requires good drainage; suitable for containers Sometimes recommended as groundcover for sunny New foliage in March; retains older foliage through the winter Can be kept smaller by trimming back older foliage each spring perched above a trio of wide leaves in spring Yellow flowers in early spring through summer slowly spreading plant that can be used as a groundcover providing colorful spots in the shaded garden Sometimes used in herb lawn or ecolawn mixes and kept short by mowing Gracefully nodding buds opening to showy pink to rose-purple flowers in midsummer Each four-petaled flower has dark spotted areas ball-shape flower clusters in early summer Has taproot Anderson, A., L. Locher, J. Hayes, M. Mead, S. Danler, D. Jones and G. Langellotto. Native Plant Picks for Bees, EM 9363 Jensen, E.C. 2020. Trees to Know in Oregon and Washington, EC 1450 Jensen, E.C. 2022. Shrubs to Know in Pacific Northwest Forests, EC 1640 Botanical Research Institute of Texas Press [Note: Flora of Oregon Volume 3 is in progress.] Note: Several editions of this book are available OregonFlora, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology Oregon State University Department of Horticulture. Landscape Plants: Images, Identification, and Information. Guide to Growing and Propagating Wildflowers in the United States and Canada King County Washington, Department of Resources and Parks. Yard and Garden Topics. Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest Melathopoulos, A., N. Bell, S. Danler, A.J. Detweiler, I. Kormann, G. Langellotto, N. Sanchez, D. Smitley and H. Stoven. 2020. Enhancing Urban and Suburban Landscapes to Protect Pollinators Oregon Metro. 2020. Native Plants for Willamette Valley Yards. Native Plants in the Coastal Garden: A Guide for Gardeners in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest Cates, D., J. Olson and N. Allen. 2002. Attract Reptiles and Amphibians to Your Yard, EC 1542 Edmunds, B., R. Little and R. Sagili. 2016. Nurturing Mason Bees in Your Backyard in Western Oregon, EC 9130 Jones, J.M., and S. Sells. 2004. Rufous Hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus, EC 1570 Lamb, S., and N. Allen. 2002. Create a Garden Pond for Wildlife, EC 1548 Lamb, S., S. Chambers and N. Allen. 2002. Create a Butterfly Garden, EC 1549 Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest Olsen, J., and N Allen. 2002. Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden, EC 1541 Propagation of Pacific Northwest Native Plants The Guide to Butterflies of Oregon and Washington GardenSmart Oregon, a Guide to Non-invasive Plants. Revised 2010 Bell. N., D.M. Sullivan, L.J. Brewer and J. Hart. 2003. Improving Garden Soils with Organic Matter, EC 1561 Miller, W., and J. Mann. 2021. How to Use Compost in Gardens and Landscapes, EM 9308 U.S. Department of Agriculture and Soil Conservation Service. Soil Survey series by county in Oregon. Available in libraries some available online through county-based Soil and Water Conservation Districts Native Plant Society of Oregon. Native plant nurseries in Oregon The website also provides information on membership and chapters where you can meet native plant enthusiasts and learn more about native plants How to use this website Beaver Healthy “A dream you dream alone is only a dream A dream you dream together is reality.” — Yoko Ono we are afforded this interaction in the company of other important public gardens across the globe: Keihanna Commemorative Garden in Japan and Johannesburg Botanical Gardens in South Africa will be exhibiting Wish Trees during these four days The Japanese garden is the perfect setting for the installation and not just due to its historic focus on issues of reconciliation and peace It currently provides a particularly peaceful atmosphere: rather than the fiery colors of autumn spring produces softness and calm in most of the garden’s appearance the muted purples and whites of the last rhododendrons the pink and whites of the mountain laurels The garden joins the ranks of many other important places chosen across the lifetime of the Wish Tree project started in 1996 and now almost 30 years in the making Some of the previous trees were placed temporarily for exhibition purposes Others have found permanent homes in public gardens — still in use or just beautifying their respective locations Italy; but they spread across the entire world Fold it and tie it around a branch of a Wish Tree Until the branches are covered with wishes.“ The power of wishes has been a theme throughout mythology and literature: Think of the Greek or Norse Pantheon genies or the devil granted the wishes (often three of them) the warning was about the content of the wishes — driven by greed longing or lust — and the distinction between cleverness and foolishness with individuals believing they possessed the former but exhibiting the latter. Be careful what you wish for is often the moral of those tales There is something about shared action that adds value to an experience or taking part in a shared exposure to cultural events: It provides a qualitative or the structure of societies geared around families or clans or revenge for historical slights can lead to horrid consequences to have projects like Ono’s that demonstrate a desire for peace likely crossing the boundaries of partisanship do not want to be exposed to violent harm or inflict it upon others We will hang our wishes on the tree joined by others who in that moment become simply allies you entered a room with white walls covered with colorful ribbons on which wishes previously written by visitors and deposited in small holes in the walls and permitted to take a ribbon and bind it across your wrist if you shared the particular wish written on it Lore had it that the wish would come true once the knots dissolved and fell off against my better rational judgment; and yes you may roll your eyes now.) The main emotion was contained in a sense of shared longing bound to an unknown companion in a particular hopefulness Much of the work expresses a leap of faith around the dichotomy of war and peace the core focus of her creative imagination who grew up In Japan during World War II — a deadly conflict that ended with nuclear bombs destroying Hiroshima — is convinced that we the interactive participants in so many of her installations provide individual contributions to make our world less belligerent Projects like the one we’re about to experience at Portland Japanese Garden will be a reminder that we all should — contribute to this singular goal They might be particularly visible and relatively stable In many mythologies they are linked to forces of nature or habitats of benevolent grantors Portland has had its very own wishing tree for more than a decade now an ancient chestnut tree at the corner of Northeast Seventh Avenue and Morris Street puzzling over the diverse sentiments found at the location: “For me psychologically more interesting is the fact that people like to externalize what could be a private prayer or wish — the very act of making it public Maybe the act of sharing makes you feel less alone even if the next reader is not the powerful entity that could fulfill your wish Maybe the act of voicing it defines a problem that you want to be collectively remembered and then collectively tackled (certainly for the wishes for peace or end of poverty.) Maybe putting it in words clarifies the hierarchy of your own needs and provides access to thoughts about action.” where you can send your wishes electronically or with old-fashioned postcards Then go and take in the peacefulness of Portland Japanese Garden and its current bloom at a more convenient time This essay was originally published on YDP – Your Daily Picture on June 6, 2024. See Friderike Heuer’s previous ArtsWatch stories here Email *Your email address will not be published Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. I am Grateful for Yoko Ono and her Lifelong Quest for Peace This speaks volumes for the Power of Collective Consciousness and the inherent need for a Shift I see this as a wonderful way to plant collective seeds which will assist in the growth of Love and Compassion If you prefer to make a comment privately, fill out our feedback form Grant recipients scramble as promised funding is withdrawn for programs already in motion Dixon continues his series of cultural profiles with portraits of actor & acting teacher Brooke Totman The Portland artist and author will be at Powell’s Books on May 10 followed by visits to Cloud and Leaf in Manzanita The battle over federal arts funding is a stark reminder of why the arts matter in a democracy and how communities can step up to protect them One of the most successful Broadway shows in the last 20 years is once again hitting the road to spread its unique message: that you should laugh until you cry The Book of Mormon, the Tony Award-winning musical written by South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, is embarking on a U.S. tour which will include three shows in Portland, Maine, at the Cross Insurance Arena. The nine-month-long tour will go everywhere from opera houses to arenas If you're unfamiliar with The Book of Mormon it's a twisted tale involving very serious subject matter but delivered with the kind of humor sarcasm ,and wit that you'd expect from the creators of South Park The story follows two missionaries attempting to spread the gospel who end up encountering every strange and bizarre obstacle you can imagine along the way Many of the characters met along the way are crude The Book of Mormon was an instant hit on Broadway grossing nearly $1 billion in ticket sales to date The show is currently the 12th longest-running show on Broadway This forthcoming nationwide tour plans to spread their message even further The Book of Mormon is planning three shows in Portland Please be advised that much of the show includes adult language not suitable for all audiences Tickets go on sale Friday, June 28, at 10am.  Dubbed as the \"funniest musical of all time\", the critically-acclaimed 'Book of Mormon' will perform three shows in Portland, Maine, this fall.\nRead More The Book of Mormon, the Tony Award-winning musical written by South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, is embarking on a U.S. tour which will include three shows in Portland, Maine, at the Cross Insurance Arena. The nine-month-long tour will go everywhere from opera houses to arenas Tickets go on sale Friday, June 28, at 10am.  - Project type: short film- Roles: --- Trevor (lead, male, 18-25)--- Gerold (lead, male, 50-70)--- Linda (supporting, female, 25-60)- Average hourly rate: not available- Casting locations: Portland- Learn more about the short film here Find sanctuary city resources from the City of Portland's Immigrant & Refugee Program including free legal services and state resources for reporting hate crimes We are officially out of compost at Sunderland Yard Thank you to everyone who showed up this weekend - there were over 2,000 of you!  Happy gardening and happy Earth Day.  We can't take any more customers today (Saturday) and have begun turning folks away.  We started the day with 1800 cubic yards of compost and as of 1 p.m Lines have been hours long the whole day with 100 vehicles entering Sunderland Yard per hour.  though we cannot guarantee we'll be able to accommodate large loads.  Every fall PBOT composts over 5,000 tons of leaves collected annually through the city's Leaf Day program This effort helps keep streets safe by preventing clogged storm drains we have so much we’re giving it away for free From April 20 - 22 in celebration of Earth Day Portlanders can pick up their FREE compost at our Sunderland Maintenance Yard This offer ends on April 22 or when we run out of compost and sizing of the final compost are regularly monitored according to United States Compost Council guidelines The facility has been a member of the USCC since 2007 All persons using the PBOT’s Free Compost Program do so voluntarily and take and use products at their own risk If you’ve ever been to one of our compost giveaways Leaf compost is available for purchase from the beginning of March at $24 per cubic yard with a minimum purchase of 0.5 cubic yards A cubic yard typically fits into a full-size pickup truck By purchasing compost from Sunderland Yard and enhance the environmental health of Portland Compost isn’t the only recycled material you’ll find at Sunderland Yard.  Before visiting the Sunderland Yard facility, remember they only accept cash or credit card payments—no personal checks allowed. Learn more on the Buy Compost page.  The Sunderland Yard Recycling Facility minimizes construction waste by processing construction spoils and producing valuable recycled rock for construction projects and snow and ice street sand material cleaning are all currently processed at Sunderland Yard See something we could improve on this page? Give website feedback The City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. Request an ADA accommodation or call 503-823-4000, Relay Service: 711 503-823-4000  Traducción e Interpretación | Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch | 口笔译服务 | Устный и письменный перевод | Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad | Письмовий і усний переклад | Traducere și interpretariat | Chiaku me Awewen Kapas | अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या the Portland City Council voted to designate the slender swath of land between the Ross Island and Sellwood bridges as the city's sixth official "quadrant." It's a solution to a problem that's also the area's most unique characteristic: South Portland is home to 10,000 properties and residential addresses that lead with zero as the first numeral which has long been a source of confusion for everyone from first responders to couriers to map apps Ditching the zeros and replacing existing street signs will be a five-year process that's expected to begin in spring 2020 Here are six awesome things you'll find in Portland's newest district The Portland Aerial Tram: Travel between Marquam Hill and South Waterfront at 3,300 feet up for awe-inspiring views of the Portland cityscape—especially at sunrise and sunset Fare is $4.90 round trip or free one way down to the South Waterfront station which is home to a village of garden gnomes Butterfly Park: Once a gravel parking lot and junkyard little-known riverview park was acquired by the city of Portland in the 1980s and beautified over the years Wildflower seeds from the Columbia River Gorge were planted to attract butterflies Buffalo Gap Saloon & Eatery: If you've been to John's Landing and haven't stopped at Buffalo Gap and there's a game room as well as killer happy-hour deals Finales: This low-key bakery-turned-wholesale operation makes some of the most binge-worthy desserts in Portland You can buy freshly baked cinnamon rolls straight from the kitchen daily Oregon Public Broadcasting: From its modest building directly across the river from Oaks Amusement Park OPB has a history going back to 1923 when KFDJ-AM signed on at Oregon Agricultural College one of the country's last remaining public jazz stations the city replaced the decrepit 90-year-old river crossing connecting Sellwood and Westmoreland to the westside expanding the bike and sidewalk lanes to make getting across much easier Below the bridge is the Staff Jennings dock which once housed a ferry that carried commuters between Sellwood and John's Landing If all goes according to the 2012 strategic plan the area may soon be Portland's newest public beach 1. Because we're not afraid of public displays of affection… 2. Because women are in charge… 3. Because our local theater scene tells true, inspiring Oregon stories… 4. Because Kevin Calabro and Lamar Hurd make even Blazer losses fun… 5. Because we're still No. 1 in semi-factual superlatives… 6. Because we have a sixth quadrant now… 7. Because the hottest rapper in the game is obsessed with us… 8. Because Oregon is gradually getting more diverse, and in unexpected ways… 9. Because we can work it out… 11. Because if you want to, you can dance to… 12. Because we're so sex positive, you can take a class on… 13. Because we're working to become a bike haven again… 15. Because the Blazers' game-day posters are the coolest collectibles in sports… 16. Because our airport is Beervana… 17. Because our fake fast food beats the real thing… 18. Because the Big Pipe is keeping poop out of the river… 19. Because we're making an effort to diversify the cannabis industry… 20. Because we finally have a virtual reality playland… 21. Because we have nicer weather than Hawaii (no, really)… 22. Because Basic Rights Oregon is fighting for LGTBQ+ rights—and winning… 23. Because Portland State's gym just underwent an awesome makeover… 24. …and the courthouse is getting one, too. 25. Because our hotel bars are some of the best bars in the city… 26. Because you'll spend less time in jail here than the national average… 27. Because we make some of the best guitar pedals in the biz… 28. Because our Curry is better than that other Curry… 29. Because we're Raptorville USA… 30. Because ICE hates us… 31. Because everything that dies someday comes back… Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today. Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today. Subscribe now to get new articles and updates in your inbox » USUALLY ON MEMORIAL DAY or thereabouts I teach a series of container-garden workshops in my garden with my longtime friend Bob Hyland a garden designer and former public-garden administrator and nursery owner who always dubbed our duet “Contained Exuberance.” Want to take your pot designs up a notch this year LET GO OF THE “IDEAL” that is so often seen in books catalogs—the notion that you can have 7 or 9 or 10 kinds of plants in one container “all perfectly blooming in unison and perfectly coiffed,” as Bob describes this semi-fantasy that annuals are exclusively what belong in pots Anything can be planted in a pot: perennials “A big juicy hosta in a pot can be quite dramatic,” says Bob “It lifts that hosta above the ground and really accentuates it (and may help keep it away from slugs and snails too).” So can euphorbia and heucheras or heucherellas and hellebores (below a shade pot of Heucherella ‘Sweet Tea’ and Euphorbia ‘Blackbird’ and  Euphorbia characias subsp wulfenii and Helleborus ‘Ivory Prince’) “so for instance all those shrubby dogwoods with showy leaves in summer and bright twigs in winter are great for year-round containers.” Think of a stunner such as the white-variegated red-twig Cornus alba ‘Ivory Halo,’ he suggests in a wine- or whiskey-barrel sized pot of any weather-proof material (That’s ‘Ivory Halo’ in the left-hand pot in the photo below on this page.) Or plant not-quite-hardy shrubs and small trees in pots that get tucked into the garage in winter (as I do my Japanese maples and a friend nearby does a collection of unusual hydrangeas) Even evergreens: that’s the Japanese holly called ‘Sky Pencil’ in one of Bob’s client’s pots TAKE THE CONVENTIONAL three-plant container-design advice of “spike and improve on it by selecting better-than-conventional plants trailing over and onto the pavement by late-season Tradescantias and plectranthus are two of his other favorites “I like to think in simplistic terms,” says Bob whose designs nevertheless look anything but simplistic or commonplace “I think it’s better if you just think of those three plants and choose wisely.” Don’t shoot for the unrealistic “happy 9-some” of all those magazine photos staged for the occasion of a photo shoot or the giant containers at public gardens with expert staffs to groom them and greenhouses that can produce backup plants for later fine-tuning and swapping out and then maybe add one or two more at most “I think when you start getting above five it gets too complex,” Bob says “Are they all compatible; will watering or the same other care make everyone equally happy And there’s usually a thug in the group that will try to take over.” Or try two of Bob’s other favorites as your architectural moment, ones you can use as one-season “annuals:” cardoons or artichokes, often sold in the vegetable department of the garden center. He loves silvery foliage, including not just the cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) with its basal rosette of furry leaves (again in the pot with ‘Sky Pencil’ holly and the Dichondra “A one or two or threesome becomes like a ‘bow’ in your pot design,” he says “Generally when you open a bag of potting soil they’re too fine—too much peat moss–and then they become heavy and sodden,” says Bob (and Margaret) “I like to find one with more shredded bark which also reduces my use of non-renewable peat resources.” he says—and watch out for ingredients you may not want such as added chemical fertilizer that may be lurking If you can’t find good-textured commercial mixes locally beef them up a bit by working in some composted leaf mold in the bottom of containers (I use some of my relatively fine-textured composted mulch made from stable bedding.) We are talking about adding texture not making them heavy so they get mucky and stay wet too long This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. I think that first tip to ‘let go of the ideal’ is the essential one When we start thinking about how things should be it stops us from moving forward on the plan My challenge with container gardening is the container: they can be so expensive and so heavy I keep scouting garage sales for abandoned pots I’ve been a container gardener for a long time The latest being a well aged galvanized trash can I wish I lived closer so that I could attend one of your workshops Galvanized is great — love such vessels A terrific soil amendment that can be added to pots is vermi-compost I always include a 20% mix in my potting soil and it provides an organic my pots need less watering throughout the summer and are generally more resilient to weather…..and I typically have 100% survivability of my transplants Loved your posting for potting plants….great ideas This is the first year filling my 3 hyper tufa troughs with succulants with a corkscrew in the middle to see if I could pull it off Great choice for big containers is “Big Red Judy” coleus (does get big but excellent in sun or shade) combined with chartruse anything(s) else Hmm–I just went out and counted the categories of plants in my biggest containers–7 (more if you count each color of petunia separately) They seem to do fine with a perennial ornamental grass as the “thriller” and a spreading ground cover that allows me to tuck in the annuals for summer color I’m always on the look-out for container combinations Your post has given me some new ideas to try I’ve been searching for potting soil recently and can only find bags with fertilizer added I’m on year three of container gardening and was looking forward to stepping up a level I’ve done only herbs and a couple of plants that came back without any invitation or encouragement but I’ve staggered their height and put a row of lower terra cotta pots in front to conceal the plastic The plants are loving the extra soil and individual plants are producing more than my little household can consume Anything can be a “flower pot” And K agree: you can fake it/conceal less-pretty ones as you suggest TN and be able to leave the plants (camellia what kind of material should the pot be made of and frost-proof so they offer the plants enough insulation (large volume of soil) and also don’t crack Many choices from wood barrels to fiberglass and other faux materials This is a great article and so timely since I’m now starting to think about my pots in northeast Ohio and what I want to plant Will have to wait a little longer as our danger of frost has not passed Every year I try to do something different as I’m usually in a bit of a rut doing the same things year after year I end up with the same things because of certain flowers that are my favorites not only because we love how they look but also how they perform in our zone Many that I choose have performed well over the years and Are reliable I dumped a large ceramic pot yesterday to refresh the soil and found a million or more ants at the bottom – a real nest A WAY TO GARDEN is the latest horticultural incarnation of me birthed in March 2008 with my own words as its primary DNA mingled with ideas shared in weekly expert interviews I have been the garden columnist for “The New York Times,” where I began my journalism career decades ago I host a public-radio podcast; I also teach online plus hold tours at my 2.3-acre Hudson Valley (NY) Zone 6A garden and always say no to chemicals and yes to great plants Design by Purr A trendy Portland bar received quite the accolade from a popular source The fine folks over at Cheapism decided to dive into the world of hidden bars and speakeasies considering this style of establishment has been a huge hit over the last decade Cheapism was determined to find the best one in every state, so it got to digging and came up with quite the list. Of course, this included Maine's representative, which can be found in the basement of a gorgeous, old brick building in the West End. The speakeasy in question is Bramhall This classic joint was reopened a decade ago under new ownership with a hip vision The idea was to open a place featuring classic and innovative cocktails and for folks to enjoy all of that in an atmosphere that takes you back to a bygone era Bramhall even describes itself as a speakeasy offering drinks that come directly from the times of Prohibition they've put their own creative spin on these classics making them stand out from your standard bar You will also find a whole slew of innovative house cocktails that have a modern twist but perfectly encapsulate the speakeasy feel which obviously fits the joint perfectly But what really sets Bramhall apart is the beautiful ambiance When you first walk down those stairs into the bar you feel like you are going back 100 years into an era of clarinet-heavy jazz It's easily one of the most historic places to enjoy a beverage in Maine This is a tremendous choice by Cheapism Bramhall perfectly captures the spirit of a hidden pub/speakeasy It's truly everything you want in a modern but classic cocktail bar you will immediately fall in love with this place Congrats to Bramhall on the positive publicity Here's wishing them many more years of serving up the classist cocktails and snacks in Maine Take a step back in time at this trendy and beautiful bar in Portland's West End.\nRead More The fine folks over at Cheapism decided to dive into the world of hidden bars and speakeasies Cheapism was determined to find the best one in every state, so it got to digging and came up with quite the list. Of course, this included Maine's representative, which can be found in the basement of a gorgeous, old brick building in the West End. The speakeasy in question is Bramhall There is something so delightful about good Chinese food there's even something delightful about not-so-good Chinese food It's one of my favorite things to get takeout I don't remember the last time I actually ate Chinese food IN a restaurant I loved going to Empire Kitchen on Congress Street in Downtown Portland I've been to a couple of actual parties at Empire Empire and China Village in Gray are two places mentioned as favorites for so many people is that there is a CHINESE TAKEOUT DRIVE-THROUGH in South Portland Now for your Chinese takeout hack of the day Did you know that your takeout container holds a secret If you aren't a fan of eating out of the box or want it on a plate but they are all dirty As you look through the 24 restaurants listed (to see if YOUR favorite made the list) you'll notice that there are favorites from Boothbay Harbor to Biddeford I got very hungry putting these all together and found so many new places I wanted to try Gallery Credit: Lori Voornas Nothing beats good Chinese food - here's some of the best places in Maine to fill that craving.\nRead More Portland’s Best Veggie and Vegan Burgers The Best New Restaurants and Food Carts in Portland, May 2025 The Best Chinese Food in Portland Portland has always been proud of its patios, with restaurants and bars across the city sporting outdoor seating year-round. Early in the pandemic, that flexibility became a lifeline and even as more places opened their doors for full capacity indoor dining Others are newly constructed spaces where diners can enjoy a meal outdoors While al fresco dining has always been popular in Portland Lit with string lights and sheltered from the wind the backyard patio at this Piedmont neighborhood Peruvian restaurant is a sweet intimate oasis for Pisco sours and anticuchos skip the ceviche in favor of comfort foods like lomo saltado and aji de gallina both of which Casa Zoraya absolutely nails For those seeking seafood without committing to a chilly ceviche The 38 Best Restaurants and Food Carts in Portland This Concordia neighborhood East Coast Italian restaurant is home to a spacious back patio The exterior matches the interior with its red-and-white-checkered tables With a plate of chicken Parmesan or mushroom ragu pappardelle and a glass of wine The Best Portland Celebration Restaurants for Any Type of Special Occasion This Northeast Portland Iraqi restaurant is home to both a front and back patio the building flanked by eye-catching murals or out in the front courtyard steps from the bustle of Alberta it’s best to warm up with a cup of cardamom coffee; on warmer days Where to Find Next-Level Hummus in Portland flowers hanging from the ceiling among heaters and string lights visitors dip spoons into steaming bowls of Lao noodle soups a pristine chicken broth soup with hand-made rice noodles so you can knock back a pilsner while your pup hangs out next to you 18 Underrated Restaurants and Hidden Gems in Portland Portland’s Incredible Southeast Asian Restaurant Scene Thai barbecue restaurant Eem offers a number of booths made of wood and corrugate plastic for solo diners and small groups. Each has individual fire pits, allowing visitors to stay warm while enjoying items like the iconic white curry with brisket burnt ends and cocktails in fun mugs The move here is to grab brisket ends in white curry and a plate of creamy carrots to go with those cozy nighttime hangs The Best Mocktails and Spirit-Free Drinks in Portland Gado Gado was quick to set up outside dining in its Hollywood parking lot when COVID-19 struck it’s a lovely and cozy place to dine on the restaurant’s inventive Indonesian and Chinese dishes This Northwest Portland Thai restaurant may offer the most creative patio in town: Instead of opting for a straight outdoor patio Phuket’s covered and heated seating is modeled after a train car with custom mint wooden booths and little red-lined windows that look out onto Northwest 23rd Place opt for one of the restaurant’s nuanced curries particularly the panang served with a 21-day dry-aged steak Foolproof First Date Spots for Every Kind of Portlander Briny Oysters on the Half Shell in Portland The Best Restaurants for Dining Solo in Portland Where to Find Salads That Reign Supreme in Portland A charming gastropub serving tavern staples like smash burgers and pasta on bustling Northwest 23rd Avenue The elaborate wooden seating area stretches halfway up the block fully ventilated at the back but covered and lined with heaters to protect diners as they enjoy a bruleed banana pudding or a whiskey drink 14 Cozy Portland Restaurants and Bars with Fireplaces 12 Fantastic Coffee Cocktails to Knock Back in Portland The tented sidewalk patio of this Italian market and cafe sprawls out into Northeast Flanders Street making it a great spot to stop for a moment with a quick grab-and-go lunch or enjoy a long — potentially romantic — conversation over dinner warm and cold days alternate without notice with refreshing radicchio salads during surprising sunny moments or comforting tajarin in truffle butter and lumache alla vodka bolstered with Italian sausage when that cool breeze is still a little too cool Portland’s Best Romantic Restaurants and Bars for Date Night One of the earlier restaurants to go all-in on outdoor dining lauded steakhouse and butcher counter Laurelhurst Market fully renovated its parking lot it has a sprawling wooden patio with tented tables in the summer and a full cover in the colder months and offers table service to enjoy its high-quality steak dinners The 19 Best Sandwich Shops to Try in Portland Lyf Gildersleeve’s sustainable fish market and restaurant Flying Fish Co has built a charming patio where diners can enjoy the seafood and wine of the market in relative comfort Where to Find Knockout Fish and Chips in Portland and Beyond worker-owned Sri Lankan restaurant Mirisata serves colorful dishes of aromatic All of it is transportive to warmer climates The Best Restaurants for a Mid-Week Lunch in Portland The vast corner patio of this Southeast Hawthorne sandwich destination is home to built-in booths and bar seating and orangey lighting that basks the block in a warm evening glow A great spot for diners to enjoy sandwiches like the pho-rench dip or fries topped with pork and marinated peppers 14 Outstanding Fried Chicken Sandwiches in Portland Oma’s Hideaway offers outdoor seating both within its individual booths surrounding the front facade and within its titular “hideaway,” also known as its spacious and colorful back patio diners can feast on the Malaysian and Chinese cooking like rich bowls of katong laksa or wonton mee loaded with house char siu Grab a seat at one of the restaurant’s front patio booths to dine among the buzz of Southeast Division The Best Restaurants on Portland’s SE Division With a menu designed as an ode to Alpine cuisine Alpenraüsch’s expertise is keeping diners warm with cozy apres-ski dishes like fondue and grilled trout with spaetzle The tented parking lot patio offers heaters and a fire pit in the colder months take a seat at one of the shaded long wooden tables to enjoy a schnapps flight and an Olympia Provisions charcuterie cone during happy hour Warm Up at Portland’s Best Cozy Restaurants and Bars One branch of the Sesame Collective restaurant group, Multnomah Village’s Yalla features a menu of Mediterranean dishes like meze platters and a pretty excellent fried chicken with harissa honey and pickled cauliflower Opening in the summer of 2020 meant patio seating was essentially required a covered wooden deck with heat lamps and white metal seating provides for small groups Where to Find Standout Food and Drinks in Portland’s West Hills Where to Eat in Charming Multnomah Village we asked Down East readers to cast their votes for Maine’s best everything: burgers to bookstores and the top five vote-getters in each category became finalists some 10,000 of you picked the winners in a final round this summer Taco the TownBrunswick MacDaddy’s Seafood & TotsLisbon Pinky D’sAuburn Rib TruckPresque Isle Salty Dog BBQFairfield I start out skeptical of any dining institution that promises to satisfy my finicky appetite, but the Totally Awesome Vegan Food Truck totally lives up to its awesome name (and ’80s-yearbook design motif) accomplishing what I’ve never been able to in my own kitchen: a hearty tasty black-bean burger you don’t need to be a vegan to enjoy The three-year-old eatery’s regular haunts include the Eastern and Western promenades The rest of the short menu includes a yummy pastramied-jackfruit sammy and jalapeño fries in a smoky faux-cheese sauce a reminder that vegan can still be indulgent A County institution and always worth stopping for Cold RiverFreeport Batson River Brewing & DistillingKennebunkport Maine Craft DistillingPortland Split Rock DistillingNewcastle Stroudwater DistilleryPortland King Eider’s PubDamariscotta The Blind Pig TavernGardiner Frank’s Restaurant & PubLisbon Novare Res Bier CaféPortland Portland Hunt & Alpine ClubPortland Moody’s DinerWaldoboro A1 DinerGardiner Becky’s DinerPortland Maine DinerWells Miss Portland DinerPortland Wilbur’s of MaineFreeport Bixby & Co.Rockland Chocolats PassionPortland Haven’s CandiesWestbrook Len Libby CandiesScarborough Ricker Hill OrchardsTurner Biscay OrchardsDamariscotta Rocky Ridge OrchardBowdoin Thompson’s OrchardNew Gloucester Wallingford’s OrchardAuburn Producing apples sans pesticides is tricky work, so when Bob Sewall started Maine’s first certified organic orchard, in Lincolnville, in 1979, he blazed a trail, but he didn’t exactly open any floodgates. Lately, Eden Acres Farm has joined the state’s still-tiny cadre of organic-apple growers Bryan and Ali Quicannon bought an old heirloom orchard in Waterboro and they got hooked up with Sewall through a Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association mentorship program they represent the next generation of organic orchardists and they make some darn good cider and cider vinegar Cellardoor WineryLincolnville/Portland Bartlett Maine Estate WineryGouldsboro Dragonfly Farm & WineryStetson Sweetgrass Farm Winery and DistilleryUnion WillowsAwake WineryLeeds Anyone first exposed to Oyster River Winegrowers via the vintner’s popular bimonthly pizza parties on its organic farm will feel right at home at the new tasting room on Camden’s main drag: the sparsely decorated former antiques shop feels like someone plopped a little barn next to the opera house patrons enjoy bottles and glasses of Oyster River’s still and sparkling wines (and ciders) The Morphos pétillant naturel (naturally sparkling) is particularly highly rated among wine buffs a white wine left to ferment in the bottle I was a hit at a party recently after showing up with a bottle of Justice a cabernet franc fermented with wild yeasts in concrete vats Rising Tide Co-opDamariscotta Belfast Co-op Blue Hill Co-op Gardiner Food Co-op Portland Food Co-op Haven’s CandiesWestbrook/Portland Old Port Candy Co.Portland Orne’s Candy StoreBoothbay Harbor Wicked Joe Organic CoffeesTopsham 44 North CoffeeDeer Isle Carrabassett Coffee CompanyKingfield Coffee by DesignPortland Tandem Coffee RoastersPortland Aroma Joe’sVarious locations Café CrèmeBath Little DogBrunswick Tandem Coffee + BakeryPortland Gelato FiascoBrunswick Fielder’s ChoiceVarious locations Gifford’sVarious locations Houlton Farms DairyHoulton Round TopDamariscotta You can’t walk into Kennebunkport’s Rococo without exiting your ice-cream-flavor comfort zone Rotating flavors include concoctions like goat-cheese blackberry chambord and salty sweet cream — all inspired by owner Lauren Guptill’s world travels The ice cream is made down the street at Rococo’s test kitchen where folks can stop during the summer to try new flavors before they’re sold elsewhere The same family has raised dairy cows at Turner’s Brigeen Farms for ten generations, since 1777. But it was only two years ago they started turning their milk into silky-smooth frozen custard, served on-site at Canty Cow Creamery The lineup is a paradox of choice — how to pick between zingy lemon Ice-cream sandwiches further complicate matters — mint-chip custard between chocolate cookies The Holy DonutPortland Congdon’s DoughnutsWells Frosty’s DonutsVarious locations The Italian BakeryLewiston Tony’s Donut ShopPortland BlueberriesTopsham Home Kitchen CafeRockland Hot SuppaPortland Mae’s Cafe & BakeryBath NoshPortland CowbellLewiston/Biddeford/Scarborough Frank’s Restaurant & PubLisbon  The Knotted ApronPortland ThoroughfareYarmouth Flight Deck BrewingBrunswick Maine Beer CompanyFreeport Mast Landing Brewing CompanyWestbrook Oxbow Brewing CompanyNewcastle Rising Tide Brewing CompanyPortland Every time I stop by Odd Alewives Farm Brewery (oddalewives.com) I marvel at how secluded the place feels despite being all of 60 seconds off Waldoboro’s congested stretch of Route 1 The snug taproom is in an 1820s barn with wide-plank floors Many such ingredients for the brewery’s Belgian-style ales grow in gardens just outside and seating had to move outside too during the pandemic with fire pits for cool summer nights and cold winter days Wild OatsBrunswick BoulangerieKennebunk Italian BakeryLewiston Standard Baking Co.Portland Sweet & Savory BakehouseStandish My ideal southern Maine winter morning involves warming up with an espresso and a blueberry scone from Boulangerie after skating at Kennebunk’s Waterhouse Pavilion I love sitting on the patio outside the bakery housed in a beautiful converted 1901 farmhouse sipping an iced latte and eating caprese on a fresh baguette a stop at Boulangerie is a highlight of passing through Kennebunk and I’m as apt to grab a kale salad as a loaf of honey-oatmeal bread as a double-chocolate muffin (maybe even all three) Ricker Hill Hard CiderTurner Norumbega CideryNew Gloucester Portersfield CiderPownal Whaleback Farm CiderLincolnville Almost a decade ago, Gene Cartwright left a desk job in architecture to find his calling on eight acres of farmland in midcoast Maine. As the orchardist, forager, and zymologist behind Lincolnville’s Whaleback Farm Cider he’s turning out some of the most interesting and quaffable ciders in a state with an increasingly deep bench of hard-cider producers a lightly tart blend made with elderberry and aronia that Cartwright grows in Lincolnville bubbly cider that’s blended with four hop varieties (which Cartwright also grew) and that goes down like a summer pilsner A recent rebrand by Brooklin’s Frank Design Co Allagash Brewing CompanyPortland Bissell Brothers BrewingPortland Northern Maine Brewing CompanyCaribou Otto PizzaPortland Cushnoc Brewing Co.Augusta Flatbread CompanyPortland Pat’s PizzaVarious locations Portland Pie CompanyVarious locations Harbor Fish MarketPortland Cantrell’s SeafoodTopsham Free Range Fish & LobsterPortland Pinkham’s Gourmet MarketBoothbay Harbor Hallowell Seafood & ProduceHallowell State Lunch Craft & KitchenAugusta Chez RosaKennebunkport Dockside Inn and TavernGreenville Via VecchiaPortland What Soul Food Paradise lacks in square footage it more than makes up for in flavor serves up heaps of tender meats — jerk chicken and braised oxtail are standouts from smoky collard greens to the uber-gooey mac and cheese tend to stick in the memory (and the gut) long after a meal the belly-warming chow comes with a heartwarming backstory: the menu is inspired by the comforting food that owner Martin Beavers’s mother cooked when he was growing up in the Bronx Island Treasure ToysYarmouth Daytrip Jr.Kennebunkport Out on a WhimseyBelfast Treehouse ToysPortland Triple Mountain Model HorsesHiram Eleda Towle, enthusiastic founder of Hiram’s Triple Mountain Model Horses offers unbridled hospitality to everyone who canters in whether they’re travelers dropping by on the hoof or hardcore hobbyists chomping at the bit to buy one of the shop’s hundreds of models of equine figurines Triple Mountain has sold some 11,000 models and she’s all too happy to push back against it Rein in your skepticism — Triple Mountain is a dark horse for Maine’s most unique and welcoming shop Maine Pines Racquet & FitnessBrunswick Boothbay Harbor Country ClubBoothbay Foley’s Fitness CenterScarborough Quest FitnessKennebunk Saco Sport & FitnessSaco House of LoganBath Bohemian RoseBath Coyote MoonBelfast EastcraeftLisbon Women of SubstanceDamariscotta Two Salty Dogs Pet OutfittersBoothbay Harbor The Fish & BonePortland Loyal Biscuit Co.Various locations Pet PantryFreeport Scalawags Pet BoutiqueKennebunkport RenysVarious locations Big Al’s Super ValuesWiscasset EstiloBrunswick Marden’sVarious locations Serendipity Fine ConsignmentCamden You can’t beat the finds at the Freeport Community Services Thrift Shop a two-story shop a stone’s throw from the town’s swish outlets and more are carefully organized and regularly restocked I’ve scored so many bargains there: a $15 cashmere sweater a brand-new Hydro Flask water bottle that retails for $35 and that my daughter scored for $3 (even the cashier complimented that one) all the proceeds support Freeport Community Services programs like food banks and heating-assistance funds Sherman’s Maine CoastBook ShopsVarious locations Gulf of Maine BooksBrunswick Longfellow BooksPortland Owl & Turtle Bookshop CaféCamden Twice-Told Tales BookstoreBrunswick For an indie bookstore, simply being open since 1987 is an achievement, but Briar Patch Books won me over last winter when proprietor Gibran Graham looked at the comic my son had picked out looked at the stuffed alligator tucked under his arm then recommended an alligator-themed graphic novel that’s now one of our household favorites The venerable Bangor shop carries books for adults too (it expanded to include them a few years back attentive recommendations that only the best community bookstores can — because the algorithms can’t see your stuffed alligator Lisa-Marie’s Made in MainePortland Daytrip SocietyKennebunkport EllieAnna Gift ShopLewiston Home IngredientsKennebunkport NestBrunswick As a home editor, I am always intrigued by artists’ spaces. So when an artist curates her own home-goods and gift shop, I’m prepared to be smitten. Jennifer Judd-McGee’s Swallowfield From its seafoam-painted wood floors to shelving tucked beneath whitewashed rafters the tiny space is packed with Judd-McGee’s intricate papercut works — on prints and linens — and pieces from the mostly women-owned businesses she selects Among my favorites: layered mixed-media works by Southwest Harbor’s Keri Kimura and hand-thrown “superstar” mugs emblazoned with luminaries like climate activist Greta Thunberg Portland-headquartered Sea Bags has established a national footprint selling handbags made from upcycled sailcloth (plus clutches But the brand’s other 38 locations pale in comparison to the new flagship on Portland’s Commercial Street two blocks from the workshop where the products are stitched up The 2,500-square-foot store is just plain fun to shop and it’s big enough to hold every last piece from the maker’s collections along with new pieces and collaborations — for example handcrafted furnishings made with South Portland designer Maine Casual Maine’s best new vinyl store is Bangor’s Vinyl Cantee which has listening stations among the crates of classic and progressive rock Owner Chris Tierney is an experienced electronic technician and drummer so the sound at the stations is impeccable Shoppers can also find new and refurbished turntables for sale Coming soon: an on-site café serving coffee drinks River’s Edge Spa and SalonKennebunk Athlete’s TouchPortland Nine StonesPortland Green with EnvyCamden Lucinda’s Day SpaFalmouth Lee Auto MallsVarious locations Charlie’s Motor MallAugusta Darling’sVarious locations Evergreen SubaruAuburn Patriot SubaruSaco Lee Auto MallsVarious locations Crafts CarsLisbon Falls Norm’s Used CarsWiscasset Crow Point YogaBoothbay Harbor Chill YogaLewiston Greener PosturesPortland Jai YogaBrunswick Portland Yoga ProjectPortland Lamey WellehanVarious locations Colburn Shoe StoreBelfast Selby ShoesSouth Portland L.L.BeanFreeport Farnsworth Art MuseumRockland Bowdoin College Museum of ArtBrunswick Maine Maritime MuseumBath Museum L-ALewiston Portland Museum of ArtPortland With its 2002 move from Orono to Bangor, the UMaine Museum of Art established a cultural anchor in a downtown building that once housed a Sears-Roebuck. Thanks to a $1.3 million gift from former UMaine educators Donald and Linda Zillman, the freshly renamed Zillman Art Museum is growing again with five new galleries opening this month to further showcase the collection of more than 4,000 largely contemporary works by Hopper sometimes literally: Sidney Russell’s huge canvas hiking boot Gleason Fine ArtBoothbay Harbor Island ArtisansBar Harbor Littlefield GalleryWinter Harbor Waterfall ArtsBelfast The Willard GallerySouth Portland Thornton AcademySaco The Bay SchoolBlue Hill North Yarmouth AcademyYarmouth St. Brigid SchoolPortland Waynflete SchoolPortland Cheverus High SchoolPortland Watershed SchoolCamden Maine State Music TheatreBrunswick Ogunquit PlayhouseOgunquit Portland StagePortland The Public TheatreLewiston Quisisana ResortLovell as Quincy accompanied his owner on visits to vaccination sites throughout the spring and summer written and reported by Maine Public chief political correspondent Steve Mistler a must-read overview of goings-on at the Maine State House (and at the local level) and a digestible explainer of what the state’s Washington delegation is up to For anyone with even passing interest in the political forces shaping life in the Pine Tree State Mistler’s newsletter does what good media does becoming a reflexive part of one’s routine Chilton FurnitureScarborough Country Farm FurnitureBath Dow FurnitureWaldoboro FX MarcotteLewiston Youngs FurniturePortland I’m a sucker for a primitive dry sink or pie safe repurposed in a modern home — my mom kept snacks in the former, and I have a kitchen corner reserved for my future Colonial dessert chest turned office-supply cabinet. One favorite hunting spot is Cornish Trading Company With three floors and 40 vendors in an 1864 former Masonic hall the shop is filled to its tin ceilings with early American and European furnishings and textiles that aren’t overly precious — or decrepit Longtime owners Lisa and Michael Fulginiti take pride in unusual finds like a pair of 19th-century cast-iron doves that would look sweet perched on a pie safe Aubuchon HardwareVarious locations Ames True ValueWiscasset Maine HardwarePortland Viking LumberVarious locations Brown Merchantile & Marine Chandlery (ftbrownco.com) and pick up a fishing license Northeast Harbor’s Main Street hardware store still has one-stop-shop appeal Run by the fourth generation of the founding family the sprawling “merchantile” is stocked with anything one can imagine needing during a summer stay: Felco pruners cans of house paint — the inventory goes on and on Quite the display of taxidermic animals too you’ll need to go elsewhere for your marriage license Knickerbocker GroupBoothbay Artisan BuildersSwanville Marden Builders Inc.Boothbay Harbor Nate Holyoke BuildersBucksport O’Shea BuildersWindham Skillins GreenhousesBrunswick Broadway GardensSouth Portland Estabrook’sYarmouth Longfellow’s GreenhousesManchester Moose CrossingGarden CenterWaldoboro Kaplan Thompson ArchitectsPortland OPAL ArchitectureBelfast Platz AssociatesAuburn Whitten ArchitectsPortland Casco Bay Lines MailboatPortland Balmy Days CruisesBoothbay Harbor Cabbage Island ClambakesBoothbay Harbor Hardy Boat CruisesNew Harbor Katahdin CruisesGreenville I’ve taken guests ages four to 87 on cruises to Eagle Island State Historic Site with Seacoast Tours of Freeport The trip to the former summer home of polar explorer Robert E Peary embarks from South Freeport’s town wharf and during the 45-minute trip to the island charismatic captain and owner Peter Milholland — who spent more than 20 years as a water steward and researcher for the nonprofit Friends of Casco Bay — gives a fascinating overview of the bay’s history and ecology there are docents to school you on Peary and plenty of trails to explore Seacoast Tours also offers lobster cruises You’ll feel like an expert on Maine’s petite and charming little auks on a 90-minute puffin-watch cruise to Eastern Egg Rock with Hardy Boat Cruises and they’re narrated by naturalists from the National Audubon Society Both the puffin and seal-watch cruises are great for kids — if conditions are right on a seal-watching trip captains will even let young passengers take turns at the helm Topside InnBoothbay Harbor Harraseeket InnFreeport Hartstone Inn & HideawayCamden Greenville Inn atMoosehead LakeGreenville Wolf Cove InnPoland SugarloafCarrabassett Valley Lost ValleyAuburn SaddlebackRangeley Shawnee PeakBridgton Sunday RiverNewry Samoset ResortRockport Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Golf ResortBoothbay Harbor Cliff HouseCape Neddick Spruce Point InnBoothbay Harbor Boothbay Harbor MarinaBoothbay Harbor Chicks MarinaKennebunkport DiMillo’s MarinaPortland Dolphin MarinaHarpswell Paul’s MarinaBrunswick Boothbay HarborCountry ClubBoothbay Belgrade Lakes Golf ClubBelgrade Brunswick Golf ClubBrunswick Grindstone Neck Golf CourseWinter Harbor My golf skills are, um, subpar, but the scenery at Mount Kineo Golf Course nonetheless makes it one of my favorite places Accessible only by ferry (or your own boat) the course starts off with stunning views of Kineo’s flint cliffs then finishes on the peninsula bordering Kineo Cove dotted with cute cottages (extra obstacles for inexpert players like me) The nine-hole course has some challenging terrain including sections of tall grass and water to play over but its beauty makes it a worthy destination for pros and noobs alike The new, 30,000-square-foot, $15 million Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine improves upon everything your kids or grandkids loved about the old downtown location 89-seat performance space that can welcome professional touring shows New exhibits include a maker space where staffers guide kids in rudimentary woodworking and a seven-tank Maine watershed aquarium where aquarists introduce visitors to native species The real hit of our visit was the interactive Go With the Flow exhibit part of a whole floor devoted to STEM activities where Goldbergian spouts and waterwheels demonstrate physics and fluidity by moving water and plastic balls in unexpected ways — and soaking most of the pint-size scientists around the water tables The pile of rain jackets and towels on hand is typical of the new museum’s attention to detail Left to right: Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine Troll courtesy of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Environmental-art buffs know Danish sculptor Thomas Dambo as a preeminent recycled-materials artist. Scandophiles know that trolls, in Nordic myth, are links between nature and humans. But you don’t need to know either of those to fall in love with the new Guardians of the Seeds at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens gargantuan trolls lurk in the wooded trails winding through gardens They’re a blast for kids and top-notch Instagram fodder with accompanying panels encouraging care for Maine’s forests and other ecosystems BUY THIS ISSUE during the bleak “dead-of-winter” months See what’s going on ‚Äì right now ‚Äì at this outer East Portland natural paradise ‚Ķ shows us a blooming Ribes Laurilfolium (evergreen currant) before he starts his monthly Saturday morning Gardener’s Tour before he begins his “Gardener’s Tour” at the outer Southeast Portland property “We have more things in bloom during the winter months than we do during the peak summer months,” Fairchild tells us plant materials and ecology here at the Gardens There are probably 30 things in bloom today.” Fairchild greets the guests who are about to take his winter-morning Gardener’s Tour at Leach The gardens are open to the public every day a good reason to take the Gardner’s Tour is he can point out things of interest that are “very subtle buds and the other living systems including our large bird population We’re seeing the rodents and small mammals getting more active.” “We let plants go through their cycle There is very little human manipulation of the plant materials at Leach Botanical Gardens,” says Fairchild I am able to share–in a little more depth–information about the horticulture and botany processes you’ll see here.” The 90-minute walking tour begins at 10:00 a.m “I enjoy sharing my passion for this community resource in mid-southeast Portland,” Fairchild tells us For further information contact Nancy at (503) 823-1671 Click on the ads by ourlocal sponsors - below -to open their webpages ------------------------------Advertisements below aresponsored by Google Ads---------------------------- © 2005-2025 David F. Ashton East PDX News™. All Rights Reserved. United StatesChevron OregonChevron PortlandChevron ChevronChevronPhotosSave this storySaveSave this storySaveReviewed by Jen StevensonStart us off with an overview.A visit to the Rose City without a stop at the Rose Garden is sacrilege If your timing’s off to catch the more than 10,000 bushes in their full glory the expansive views and general splendor of the nearly-five-acre garden are still worth a visit Founded in 1917 to help preserve European hybrid roses people feared would be lost to persistent World War I bombing raids and has since helped firmly embed its beautiful tenants in Portland’s cultural identity: Sip Steven Smith Teamaker’s Rose City Genmaicha tear into the the pistachio-rose croissant at Nuvrei get permanent bicep petals at New Rose Tattoo shop and cheer on the fierce all-female Rose City Rollers roller derby league Are there any specific things we should be sure to check out?Seek out the serene Shakespeare Garden hidden behind heavy hedges on the south end of the park it was dedicated on the bard’s birthday in 1946 Requirements for residency are looser these days and includes roses named for Shakespearean characters—an appropriate allowance in honor of the guy who so famously wrote "Of all flowers methinks a rose is best.” Even with such ethereal surrounds the lush little garden holds its own—so much so that many a midsummer night’s dream wedding take place here Who do you think the garden is best for—and who would definitely not enjoy it?The only travelers who should steer clear of the garden are those with rose allergies or acute anthophobia—fear of flowers, yes it’s a real thing and Queen Elizabeth I had it. Everyone else should experience its sheer splendor. But timing is important; the plants bloom from mid-spring to late fall, and generally peak in June, right around Portland Rose Festival week. up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world