There’s plenty of space to spread out safely outdoors at the 80-acre Oregon Garden in Silverton. Wander through the American Conifer Society reference garden, study the beds of culinary and medicinal herbs, and wave at the clay pot “family” at the children’s garden. Don’t forget to stop and smell the exotic roses.
The well-designed site’s horticultural biodiversity has been its trademark since Oregon nurseries donated plant materials, from Pacific Sunset maple trees to rare Northwest native trilliums, to convert an Arabian horse ranch and Christmas tree farm into a walkable encyclopedia of nature.
Environmental bonus: Silverton’s wastewater is filtered through a series of terraced wetlands in the garden and reused for irrigation.
Preserved on the land: A 400-year-old oak tree, endangered Oregon white oak prairie and savannah, and unmanaged woodland.
Since the garden opened to the public almost 20 years ago, about 100,000 visitors a year have been able to see thousands of plants, from unusual tropicals to drought- and fire-resistant shrubs. Annuals and vegetables were grown onsite to fill the Silverton Market Garden.
The garden was closed for weeks during stay-at-home orders and the freeze, and events such as the Spring Garden Gala and the Christmas in the Garden Event were canceled.
The garden, which is outside of Salem and an hour drive from Portland, was also shuttered for a week in September due to smoke from wildfires in the Willamette Valley.
When it has been open, far fewer people have visited than in previous years, says Allison Pennell, development director of the Oregon Garden Foundation.
A ticket to visit the pet-friendly garden at 879 W. Main St. in Silverton in winter is $8 or less, with discounts for seniors, military and students (children 4 and younger are admitted free). Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Changes due to coronavirus
For 12 years, garden operations have been managed by the owner of the Oregon Garden Resort adjacent to the Oregon Garden. After a default on financial obligations, management of the garden fell back to the nonprofit Oregon Garden Foundation on Nov. 3, according to the foundation’s news release.
The staff has been cut, from 20 to six, and the garden relies on about 50 dedicated volunteers.
The cafe inside the visitor center is temporarily closed (bring your own picnic), and the tram is not running to adhere to social distancing guidelines, but guests can easily pace themselves to safely keep apart. Paths were designed to accommodate people with strollers, scooters or wheelchairs.
Masks are required, even outside, and capacity is capped at 50 people, says Pennell.
“I think the public is truly ready to engage in the power of gardens and horticulture to help the lives of everyone,” she says. “The pandemic had one positive that many people who were too busy for a garden found peace in growing one this past spring. I hope folks who have not visited us in a while will return to learn and enjoy all the garden has to offer.”
Ways to help
Membership to the garden, which starts at $50 for one adult (5 percent less for people 60 and older), is the best way for the public to offer support of the Oregon Garden, says Pennell.
For information on donating, contact Pennell at 503-874-2535 or apennell@oregongardenfoundation.org.
