We are so lucky to live at a time when there is so much information at our fingertips. However, sometimes it’s hard to navigate, or worse, it’s difficult to know what resources are reliable.
We’d like to help by listing some of our favorite local gardening-related resources, places we know you can go for solid information and inspiration! (All green names are links!)
We love the Backyard Habitat program! Work with volunteers from the Portland Audubon Society to update your yard to include at least 5% native plants, eradicate invasive species, and increase habitat for native fauna. We’re excited that the program recently expanded to include Washington County. (It still serves Multnomah County, as well.)
From their web site: Portland Audubon and Columbia Land Trust teamed up to design a unique program that supports urban gardeners in their efforts to create natural backyard habitats. The intent of the Backyard Habitat Certification Program (BHCP) is simple: it provides technical assistance, financial incentives, encouragement and recognition to people that want to create natural, low-maintenance gardens that support people, wildlife, and the planet.
Have you ever wondered how to make the magic of compost happen for your garden? Metro has answers.
Our staff loves this resource! Great Plant Picks provides a list of over 1,000 plants that are well-suited to life in the Pacific-Northwest.
From the web site: Great Plant Picks (GPP) is the primary educational program of the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden which debuted in 2001 with the first recommendations for a comprehensive palette of outstanding plants for the maritime Pacific Northwest. To date over 1,000 exceptional plants have been selected by horticulturalists for gardeners living west of the Cascade Mountains.
There’s lots of great information about invasive plants found in Portland on this site. It includes the required eradication list, which is a great thing to be familiar with in case any of them pop up in your garden.
Master Gardeners is an OSU extension program available in the Portland Metro area. If you’d like to learn more about gardening, becoming a Master Gardener is an option. It includes eight weeks of one day a week classes, followed by 55 hours of gardening-related community service. The Master Gardeners are also a great resource! Try the Master Gardeners' hotline.
Portland has strict guidelines about what trees can be planted along the street. This site will answer many of your related questions, including providing lists of trees for different size spaces.
Are you worried that you might be overwatering your garden? There’s a web site that can help! Find out how much you should be watering by zip code!
Non-profit organization who's focus includes: pollinator conservation, endangered species protection, providing education about enhancing habitat, and reducing pesticide use and impacts.
They offer fantastic guides for planting habitat gardens by region. As an organization their reach is Nationwide, but they are located in Portland!
Portland Gardens
Portland has quite a number of beautiful public gardens to inspire you.
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
The International Rose Test Garden
Oregon Gardens Outside of Portland
Bush's Pasture Park, Salem, OR
Connie Hansen Garden Conservancy, Lincoln City, OR
Darlingtonia State Natural Site, Florence, OR
Gerdemann Botanic Preserve, Yachats, OR
The Oregon Garden, Silverton, OR
Rogerson Clematis Garden, West Linn, OR
Shore Acres, Coos Bay, OR
Local plant clubs
American Conifer Club (Western United States)
American Rhododendron Society: Portland Chapter
Native Plant Society of Oregon
Pacific Northwest Begonia Club
Pacific Northwest Peony Society
Local Gardening Clubs
Facebook groups
Joining a Facebook group can be a great way to network with other local plant lovers.
