More Than Wine: Visit Colorful Fields Of Willamette Valley In Spring

A picturesque backdrop for brilliant floral colors

The colorful Willamette Valley surrounds Interstate 5 in western Oregon, just south of Portland. Once you escape the urban sprawl of the big city, agricultural fields take over the landscape displaying a diversity of plant life. Throughout the spring months of March, April, and May, you will find fields blooming with color, drawing visitors and photographers.

Two of the largest attractions are the tulip fields of The Wooden Shoe and the iris of Schreiner’s Gardens. These two large farms feature vendor booths of handicrafts, wine, and bouquets to brighten your home in addition to the colorful and fragrant blooms. On weekends, these fields are a great family outing with live music and talent shows, parades, and other attractions.

The Wooden Shoe in bloom

Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, in Woodburn, Oregon, features 40 acres of blooms, mud puddles, and spectacular views. One of the largest and most well known gardens in the Pacific Northwest, the Wooden Shoe hosts an annual tulip fest with multiple associated activities. The 2016 Tulip Fest runs from March 25 through May 1, 2016, rain or shine.

Admission to the farm (5 USD per person or 20 USD per car) includes parking, access to the tulip fields, a children’s play area, and hay rides to and from the blooming fields. Well-behaved dogs are invited to join the family on outings as well. Bring your own picnic and purchase food on site to enjoy an afternoon in the great outdoors.

For the photographer, the Wooden Shoe offers an exclusive early morning access pass for 20 USD. This pass allows you in the fields when few other people are present and during the perfect lighting time of the early morning hours.

Special events include an Easter egg hunt, a tulip trail run, hot air balloons, sponsored photography classes to capture those great memories, and an annual photo contest.

The well-known cow train is usually running for guests to take a unique spin around the farm (3 USD). Daily wine tasting options from local wineries are available from 12 PM to 5 PM.

Detailed directions and hours are on the company website as are regularly updated bloom reports.

Award winning Iris blooms color the Schreiner Gardens

Schreiner’s Iris Gardens, in Keizer, Oregon, is a close second for attracting visitors to the colorful fields of flowers in the Willamette Valley.

The Schreiner family began growing iris in Minnesota but found the climate to be unfavorable to the pursuit. They began researching better locations to grow their fledgling business and soon found the Willamette Valley, based on the excellent soil composition, an ideal climate from growing iris, and the proximity to transportation options. The family farm has been in this location since 1947.

Early iris plants were imported from various European growers, but the eldest son was interested in botany and began experimenting in developing his own hybrid plants. He had over 500 varieties of iris rhizomes by the time the family relocated to Oregon.

Soon an annual catalog was developed to send Schreiner iris around the world. The family farm grew from 50 acres to 200 acres. Over the years, the Schreiner hybridizing program has become internationally recognized as one of the best; the Schreiner blooms have won many awards both nationally and internationally.

The annual Keizer Iris Festival runs from May 6 to May 31, 2016. Peak bloom season is during this time and the display gardens are open from dawn to dusk, rain or shine. Treat yourself to a day at Schreiner’s Iris Gardens to marvel at the color spectacular from deep black to pure white, brick red to azure blue, glowing copper to velvet purple. Bring home fresh-cut blooms or order rhizomes for your friends and yourself to enjoy in your own gardens.

Families are invited to spend the day strolling the gardens, enjoying a picnic, or just relaxing in the beautiful color. Photographers will also appreciate the access to fields of colorful bloom during either early morning or late dusk hours.