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Embrace Summer with Irises and the Verdant Green of Portland Japanese Garden

Posted by Portland Japanese Garden on

PORTLAND, Ore. —June 28, 2022—A staple of Portland Japanese Garden since 1967, the iris beds of the Strolling Pond Garden are a joyful sign of summer’s arrival every year when their flowy purple petals bloom. Portland Japanese Garden is the perfect place to visit often this summer as temperatures climb. Located at a higher and cooler elevation than much of its home city, the Garden has paths winding through locations where restoring shade and breezes intermingle in a verdant oasis of green.

Azalea next to the snow viewing lantern in the Strolling Pond Garden.

The peaceful tranquility of summer in the Garden is complemented by a wide array of intriguing and exciting cultural events taking place over the next few months. On July 10, Portland Japanese Garden will celebrate Tanabata (the Star Festival), one Japan’s five seasonal festivals. This beloved event will welcome families to take part in the tradition of writing wishes or prayers on tanzaku (wish strips) and hang them from bamboo for all to see.

From 2018: Tanabata decorations outside the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center. Photo by Tyler Quinn.

Then, later in the month on July 31, Portland Japanese Garden will co-host a lecture from Richard Deverell at Portland Art Museum. Deverell, executive director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, will share what his prestigious organization is doing to improve access to the educational dynamics of botanical gardens as well as have a conversation with Portland Japanese Garden CEO, Steve Bloom, about the role of gardens in inspiring harmony and peace.

Visitors to Portland Japanese Garden should make sure to explore our fascinating art exhibition, Gifts From Japan: A Horticultural Tale Told through Botanical Art, before it closes on July 4. All of these unique offerings are accompanied by our regular demonstrations and performances ranging from ikebana arrangement to tea ceremony.

Photos: Summertime in Portland Japanese Garden (photo credit in file name)
Hours and Admission (June 20 – July 31):
  • Hours: 10:00am – 4:30pm, Wednesday—Monday (Closed on Tuesdays)
  • Member Hours: 8:00am – 10:00am
  • Adult Admission: $19.95
  • Gift Shop Hours: 9:30am – 4:00pm
  • Umami Café Hours: 9:30am – 4:00pm
  • Pavilion Gallery Hours: 9:30am – 4:00pm (Current Exhibition Information Here)
Media Contact:    

Will Lerner | 503-542-9351 | [email protected]

About Portland Japanese Garden:  

Portland Japanese Garden is a nonprofit organization originally founded in 1963 as a place for cross-cultural understanding following World War II. A hallmark in the City of Portland, the Garden was founded on the ideals of peace and mutual understanding between peoples and cultures. Portland Japanese Garden is considered the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan and the foremost Japanese cultural organization in North America.