the names are joyful — from Day Dreamer and Lollipop to Chick A Dee and Cha Cha. After wandering, you can cut and create your own bouquet. Any season is ideal for a visit to the 80-acre Oregon Garden, home to one of the nation’s largest collections of dwarf conifers. You’ll find more than 20 themed gardens designed to educate and inspire the home gardener, including pet-friendly gardens that highlight the best plants for pets. Ron Cooper WHERE TO FIND WILDLIFE Part of what makes the Salem area a prime spot for nature lovers is its easy access to woodlands, wetlands and wildlife-rich recreation areas. Hike to the soundtrack of birdsong at Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, just south of Salem. Serene walking trails wind through wetlands and lead to wildlife overlooks perfect for spotting feathered friends. Interpretive signs share insights about the refuge’s diverse inhabitants, from northern red-legged frogs to tundra swans gliding across the marsh. West of Salem, near the city of Dallas, the Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge spans rolling hills, grasslands and wetlands that provide vital habitat for a wide range of species. Established in 1965 as a wintering area for dusky Canada geese, the refuge now shelters creatures such as black-tailed deer, eastern pond turtles and the tiny but remarkable least sandpiper. Closer to downtown Salem, Minto-Brown Island Park spans an impressive 1,200 acres of woodlands and wetlands with 29 miles of trails for walking, running and biking. It’s one of the largest city parks in Oregon and a haven for both birders and nature enthusiasts. More than 150 bird species have been documented here, including belted kingfishers, blue-winged teal, egrets, osprey and bald eagles. The park’s aquatic habitats also nurture salmon, steelhead and western painted turtles. during the spring peony season in May and open their gardens to the public for peak bloom. Schreiner’s Gardens is another must-visit, with over 500 varieties of irises on display during the May bloom season alongside Icelandic poppies, delphinium and lupine. When the scent of lavender fills the air from late June to early August, head to Arrowhead Lavender Farm. Owned and operated by a husband-and-wife duo who named the farm after their shared love of archery, this charming property is home to more than 5,000 lavender plants. During peak bloom, the farm is a sea of purple, and you are welcome to walk the rows and snip your own bundle. The owners also host wreath-making workshops and an annual festival. In Turner, Frey’s Dahlias opens to visitors daily during bloom season, mid-August through mid-October. During this vibrant time of year, visitors are welcome to walk through the 3-acre field, where a stunning variety of dahlias bloom in every color and shape imaginable. Even Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge Adelman Peony Gardens 13 TravelSalem.com
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