Portland Memory Garden

06/12/2026

Attention Activity Directors!

There is still time to register your group for one of our Summer Programs Sessions!

Summer Programs offer free outdoor activities for seniors. These one hour sessions are planned and taught by professionals trained in therapeutic horticulture.

These sessions also assist facility staff in learning independent use of the garden with their clients. Family and caregiver participation is encouraged!

Registration required. Summer programs are limited to 8 participants per session (not including family and staff).

Contact Tara Hicks at [email protected] for more information or to reserve your spot today!

06/11/2026

Board Member Spotlight: Cicely Bruce!

Cicely is Clinical Social Work Associate that provides mental health therapy with specialization in Gerontology. She is also a registered horticultural therapist, registered yoga teacher, and is training as a yoga therapist.

Her expertise brings a healing dimension to our operations at Portland Memory Garden, and we are grateful for her knowledge and care.

Cicely got involved with the garden over 20 years ago as an HT intern learning about design, installation, and maintenance of therapeutic gardens. She reconnected with the garden a few years ago, post pandemic, and has served on our board ever since.

When asked what Portland Memory Garden means to her, Cicely said the following:

“The garden is a sanctuary for quietude and respite for people to connect with the natural world. It is a gift to the community and I serve in honor of my loved ones who have been impacted by dementia.”

Thank you, Cicely, for everything you do for Portland Memory Garden.

06/05/2026

Our first drop-in volunteer gardening session of the month is this Saturday from 9:30 to 11:30 AM!🧑‍🌾🪏

Join us for a productive morning of gardening and help us keep this treasured community space looking its best 🌸

Tools are provided. Dress for the weather. We look forward to seeing you there!

Can’t make it this Saturday? Our volunteer gardening sessions occur the first and third Saturday of every month.

06/04/2026

June 2026 Plant of the Month: Echinacea

Echinacea will begin to bloom this month, dotting the Portland landscape with lovely purple flowers.

Their name derives from the Greek word for ‘hedgehog,’ due to the bristly disk in the center of the flower. As their looks may suggest, Echinacea is a member of the sunflower family.

These drought-tolerant perennials prefer full-sun and can grow to be over 4 feet tall. They give off a subtle honey-like scent that develops notes of vanilla as the flower matures.

Echinacea has a long history of use in American Indigenous medicine, and is often included in modern herbal tea blends. Though all parts of this plant are edible, we do ask that you refrain from foraging them from the garden.

Plan your trip to Portland Memory Garden today to see our Echinacea plants show off their gorgeous petals.

05/28/2026

Friends of Portland Memory in collaboration with Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener™ Program are excited to invite you to our May Master Gardener Workshop

Managing Vegetable Garden Pests
Saturday, May 30th, 2026
10 AM to 11:30 AM
At Portland Memory Garden

10401 SE Bush St.
Portland, OR 97266
In Ed Benedict Park

Instructor: Lisa Martins

Overwintering garden pests are starting to hatch! Learn to deal with all of those annoying little pests, including how to spot signs of pests, how to identify pests, and how to prevent pests from overrunning your garden.

Free for all! Registration required. Contact [email protected] to learn more.

Click the link below to register now:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/managing-vegetable-garden-pests-osu-master-gardenertm-workshop-tickets-1990122843999?aff=oddtdtcreator

Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made by 5/22/2026 to Kim Butchereit at [email protected], (503) 872-6649.

Oregon State University (OSU) Extension strives to ensure that all educational programs, services, activities, and materials we offer to the public are identified, developed, delivered, and evaluated in an inclusive, equitable and socially just manner. OSU Extension Service educational programs, services, activities, and materials are available to all people.

05/23/2026

Did you know that you can host yoga and Thai Chi sessions at Portland Memory Garden? 

That’s right! Portland Memory Garden is now looking for yoga and Thai Chi instructors that would like to hold classes in the garden. 

Interested in reserving a time? Contact Eunice Noell-Waggoner at [email protected] for more information.

05/21/2026

Want to stay up to date on everything happening at Portland Memory Garden?

Click the link below to sign up for our mailing list! Have our seasonal newsletter delivered directly to your inbox and learn about upcoming events, programs, and volunteer opportunities!

Our Spring Newsletter comes out tomorrow, so sign up now to avoid missing out!

Stay up to date on news, events, resources, and everything happening at Portland Memory Garden.

05/15/2026

Our second Spring Planting Party for 2026 is happening this Saturday May 16th from 9 AM to 12 PM.

Join us for this special drop-in volunteer gardening session and help fill the garden with flowers. We look forward to seeing you there.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day from Friends of Portland Memory Garden! We hope you all have a wonderful time celebrating the mothers in your life.

Stop by Portland Memory Garden today to spend this joyous occasion outdoors with your loved ones. We hope to see you there! 🌸🌿