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Grounds

Grounds

Our grounds encompass all green space and outdoor attractions that aren’t facilities.

Geographic Gardens

Green Space

Arboretum

Canopy Walk

Demonstration Gardens

First Nations Gardens

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Plant of the Week - Saxifraga oppositifolia Saxi

Plant of the Week - Saxifraga oppositifolia

Saxifraga oppositifolia, also known as purple saxifrage, is a widely ranging arctic alpine species, with populations being found in Alaska, across Canada, and into Europe. Often referred to as an alpine "cushion plant," its short stems, small overlapping leaves, matted blooms, and compact form allow this species to take refuge in rock outcrops, protecting itself from extreme alpine conditions. The lavender to magenta flowers of S. oppositifolia create a beautiful contrast against the barren, exposed rock on which it can be found growing.

📸: 1. Apollonio Tottoli 3. Brewbooks 4. Zebu015

No. 34 - Echinopsis pachanoi American Desert Dwel

No. 34 - Echinopsis pachanoi
American Desert Dwellers
Commemorative Series - August 2022

Also known as the San Pedro cactus, Echinopsis pachanoi is a species of columnar cactus found in the high elevation deserts of western South America. E. pachanoi has been intertwined with traditional Andean medicine for thousands of years. Psychoactive properties of the species come primarily from the alkaloid mescaline, which creates similar medicinal effects to those given by Lophophora williamsii (peyote).

If you’re interested in purchasing commemorative merchandise, please visit our online webshop! Click the link in our bio for more information.

Plant of the Week - Styrax redivivus West coast

Plant of the Week - Styrax redivivus

West coast native alert 🚨 ! Styrax redivivus, also known as snowdrop bush or California snowdrop, is an uncommon shrub to small tree that grows primarily in central and northern California. The specific epithet “redivivus” refers to its ability to spring back to life following fires, similarly to our native manzanitas (Arctostaphylos). S. redivivus can be found flowering in April and May in its native habitat where it produces beautiful clusters of pure-white, waxy, bell-shaped flowers.

📸: iNaturalist: i-am-tommy, abcdefgewing, steven_

No. 33 - Passiflora pentaschista American Desert D

No. 33 - Passiflora pentaschista
American Desert Dwellers
Commemorative Series - July 2022

Passiflora pentaschista is a species of passion flower native to western Mexico in Baja California, Sinaloa, and Sonora. While existing in Arizona and California, these populations are not considered native but naturalized, likely being introduced in the last century. A desert dweller, P. pentaschista thrives in areas with little water and can be seen flowering from October to May in its native habitat.

P. pentaschista is often confused with its close relatives P. arizonica and P. arida (also desert Passiflora), but it differs from them in its coloration and leaf shape. All three are part of the Passiflora subgenus called “Dysosmia,” which is also home to other species like P. foetida, P. sublanceolata, and P. ciliata. This subgenus was recently revised in past several years by Harlan Svoboda.

If you’re interested in purchasing commemorative merchandise, please visit our online webshop! Click the link in our bio for more information.

Plant of the Week - Phlox hoodii Phlox hoodii, a

Plant of the Week - Phlox hoodii

Phlox hoodii, also known as spiny phlox, is native to western North America with distribution from Alaska to Arizona, and east to the Dakotas, often found in high-elevation sagebrush country. Plants are spiny and compact, rarely reaching above a couple inches in height. Adapted to wildfires, this species is often present in early postfire communities, regenerating vegetatively from its caudex following fire.

📸: @lands_plants

No. 32 - Delphinium parishii American Desert Dwell

No. 32 - Delphinium parishii
American Desert Dwellers
Commemorative Series - June 2022

Delphinium parishii, also known as the desert larkspur, is a perennial herb native to the Mojave Desert of the American Southwest. Depending on location, D. parishii can be seen flowering in late spring from April until June. Flower colors range throughout its habitat with some populations having purple flowers while others exhibit light blue and even pinkish flowers.

If you’re interested in purchasing commemorative merchandise, please visit our online webshop! Click the link in our bio for more information.

#PortlandOregon #BotanicalGarden #Postcards #Horticulture #PBG #Commemorative #Merchandise #PacificNorthwest #BotanicalIllustrations #PlantDrawings #Delphinium #DelphiniumParishii #DesertLarkspur #Mojave

Plant of the Week - Rhododendron saxifragoides R

Plant of the Week - Rhododendron saxifragoides

Rhododendron saxifragoides is a species of alpine vireya Rhododendron native to New Guinea. Growing at an elevation about 10,000 ft (3200 meters), it can be found growing in boggy conditions. Between August and December, it puts out small, red flowers in its native habitat. While the species is not common in cultivation—partially due to the difficulty of replicating its native habitat—horticulturists have bred several interspecific hybrid cultivars.

📸: Chien C. Lee

No. 31 - Alstroemeria diluta American Desert Dwel

No. 31 - Alstroemeria diluta
American Desert Dwellers
Commemorative Series - May 2022

Alstroemeria diluta is a species of Alstroemeria endemic to the coast and coastal mountains of Chile. With multiple subspecies, flower color can range from a greenish orange to pink. In its native habitat it can be seen flowering in October to early January, thriving in areas exposed to full sun and experiencing long periods of drought. This species has shorter and “grassier” leaves then other species of Alstroemeria, potentially avoiding excess desiccation in the dry climate. These small leaves can desiccate in some populations before the flowers even bloom, allowing carbohydrates to be used in seed production before going dormant.

If you’re interested in purchasing commemorative merchandise, please visit our online webshop! Click the link in our bio for more information.

Plant of the Week - Clematis socialis Clematis s

Plant of the Week - Clematis socialis

Clematis socialis, also known as Alabama leatherflower, is an endangered species of Clematis native to the Southeast United States. This species is only known to grow in a handful of locations in Alabama and Georgia, and is currently threatened by development. C. socialis thrives in hardwood forests in canopy gaps. Less than 1000 plants are known to exist in the wild.

📸: @john.nix_ @ty_seely

No. 30 - Castilleja angustifolia American Desert D

No. 30 - Castilleja angustifolia
American Desert Dwellers
Commemorative Series - April 2022

Castilleja angustifolia, sometimes known as the desert paintbrush, is a perennial herb that grows in semi-arid locations in western North America. Known for its striking red color, modified leaves called bracts show off their vibrant colors similarly to poinsettia. This species is primarily pollinated by native bumblebees (Bombus sp.), which inhabit the open slopes of grasslands or sagebrush habitats.

If you’re interested in purchasing commemorative merchandise, please visit our online webshop! Click the link in our bio for more information.

Happy Earth Day! Come check out the Portland Bota

Happy Earth Day!

Come check out the Portland Botanical Gardens informational booth at T.O.P.S. (The Otherside Plant Sale) in Gresham today from 10am to 5pm! @theothersidenursery

We’re also selling items from our webshop and giving away free packets of Oregon native plant seeds.

Dan will be here all day to answer questions about the organization and our vision for the future. You can also check out the @cistusnursery booth and meet our other co-founder @_sean_hogan.

You can support PBG by making a donation at our booth or on our website at portlandbg.kindful.com or click the link in our bio.

Thanks as always and enjoy the (semi-)sunny weather!

Plant of the Week - Cornus canadensis Have you s

Plant of the Week - Cornus canadensis

Have you seen me? Cornus canadensis, also known as the bunchberry, is an herbaceous species of dogwood that can be found in the cool, moist, and temperate forests of northern North America. In western North America, C. canadensis often grows alongside other species such as western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), western redcedar (Thuja plicata), and in subalpine regions with spruce and fir (Tsuga sp.). Flowering in mid to late spring, C. canadensis can be found in Oregon standing amongst old-growth in the Cascade Range.

📸: Creative Commons