City: Portland, OR

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (503) 636-4112

Address: 11505 Southwest Summerville Ave.

Description: Rae Selling Berry was by all accounts a legendary botanist, and her legacy lives on at the Berry Botanic Garden, the site of her estate. This garden shouldn’t be missed, especially during the spring and summer. The 6.5-acre estate features a collection of endangered plant species, the largest public rock garden on the West Coast, and major collections of lilies, native Northwest plants, and rhododendrons in settings that vary from a damp woodland to streamside plantings. The Berry Botanic Garden was the first seed bank in the nation to dedicate itself to the preservation of the flora of an entire region (the Pacific Northwest), and part of its mission is to sustain the botanical heritage of the area through an extensive research program. Classes and events are offered regularly. The garden is open by appointment every day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Because the garden is in a residential area, you’ll need to call to make an appointment, but it’s not difficult to get one. Also call for directions to the garden. A recorded message will give them to you—be sure to have your pencil ready because they’re delivered rapidly. Alternatively, you can look up directions on the useful website, which also has information about current classes and events.