Traveling to Visit Gardens
One of my favorite things to do is to visit gardens and flower fields. I have had a busy summer travel schedule to give lectures, attend conferences, and of course a little vacation. The trouble is – which is not a trouble at all – is that all of these reasons to travel include visiting gardens. This is obvious when you consider that my work and play are both the same – flowers, plants, and a few more flowers! Don’t forget to check out my instagram account where I share my travels – there are plenty more including two trips to England.
1. Swan Island Dahlias, Canby, Oregon
Swan Island has been on my to be visited list for a long time. I have been growing dahlias for as long as I can remember and when I moved to Northview I developed quite a collection – many were from Swan Island. For those in the know you will not need me to reiterate all the reasons that I like to grow them – but just in case my top few reasons are a. They make a great fall cut flower, b. They are great in mixed flower beds, and c. If you choose the right ones they make a fantastic late-season pollinator plant.
A ravishing cactus-shaped dahlia called Tanjoh – yellow towards the middle and white curled petals tipped with fuchsia/magenta.
Swan Island Dahlias – 50 acres of growing fields are in full bloom in August and September – check their website for opening times.
2. Dahlia Dell, San Francisco, California
Staying with dahlias – how about a trip to San Francisco where the dahlia is the official flower of the city. One of the best places to see a stunning display is in Golden Gate Park near the Conservatory of Flowers. Late August into September is the best time to visit.
Dahlia Dell, near the Conservatory of Flowers, San Francisco. In 2026 they celebrated 100 years of growing dahlias.
3. Bailey Nurseries, Sauvie Island, Near Portland, Oregon
On a tour with the garden Communicators International I was lucky to be able to visit some of the growing fields of Bailey’s Nurseries. You may be familiar with brands in your Garden Centers – First Editions, and Endless Summer Hydrangeas. We saw plenty of hydrangeas and rows of roses. It made me realize that plants grown in masses are fantastic.
Bloomstruck Hydrangea was looking fabulous in the Bailey Nurseries growing fields. I am going to add this to my wish list for Northview.
4. The Portland Rose Test Garden, Portland, Oregon
If you love roses plan a visit to Portland, Oregon in rose seasons. What a treat for the eyes and the nose. As I am sure most of you know fragrance is a big part of my garden design plans. I have a hope that more rose breeders are including scent in their breeding programs.
While I was in Portland at The Far West Trade Show they announced the 2026 winners of the Rose Awards. These are chosen by visitors to the garden. This years’ winners for the overall Gold Medals was Sunset Horizon and The Gold Medal for the Best Fragrance went to Violet’s Pride. It is lavender/lilac in color and the scent is described as a strong citrus but to my nose it was more complex than that. Violet’s Pride is available from Week’s Roses.
Violet’s Pride Rose won a Gold Medal at the Portland Rose Test Garden for its fragrance. Available from Week’s Roses.
5. Thuja Gardens, Mount Desert, Maine
I gave a lecture at The Beatrix Farrand Society in Maine and had the chance to visit the gardens nearby. The Thuja Garden was a highlight in the late day sun the flower colors were glowing. This side of the border – shown below – was a particular favorite.
Thuja Gardens, Mount Desert, Maine has formal paired flower borders either side of a central grass path. The colors in this section include dark-leaved Actaea / Cimicifuga on the left, bright pink lilies, chartreuse green flowering tobacco / Nicotiana at the front of the photo and blue Ageratum. Joe Pye weed is the tall pink flower at the back.
6. Piet Oudolf Garden, Belle Isle, Detroit, Michigan
Piet Oudolf is known for his naturalistic designs which incorporate swaths of perennial plants. The garden that he designed at Belle Isle in Detroit is of this style with wands of liatris waving in the breeze, round-headed allium, scented monardas, and bold circular swamp hibiscus flowers. The site is in a flood zone so most of the garden is raised up above this level. Paths criss-cross though the garden so that you can get a close look at all of the insect life that uses the garden for food and habitat.
7. The Garden at Ball, West Chicago, Illinois
One of my other fun trips was to see the Ball Gardens in West Chicago Illinois. I was there to learn about the new petunias in the famous Wave series that are being bred for the next few years. I am sure that I will give out more information as it becomes available. We got a sneak peek at one for next year or the year after that is called Rosy Hearts. Look for the heart pattern in the middle. I think that it is a stunner. Other plants from Ball will have to be their own post.
Petunia Rosy Hearts is in the Wave Petunia Series. It will be released in the next few years.
I hope that you enjoyed these varied summer gardens from across America. Bye for now gardening friends. Cheers, Jenny Rose Carey
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