Updated 2/07/2023
The sun dropped lower behind the farmhouses on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the fields. Turning from my meandering walk, I felt a shiver that was at odds with the warm August night. Row upon row of sunflowers unfolded toward the horizon, the sun itself hovering low behind the oversized flower heads. Each sunflower was turned to face east, as if posing for a group photo with the setting sun.
There are many stunning flower farms and gardens in Oregon, but sunflower gardens are among the best for photography. With a flower season in the peak of summer, you’re likely to find clear skies and enough evening light for an after-work golden hour stroll among the sunflowers. And since sunflower flower heads all face east, the sun setting behind a field of enormous flowers creates a dramatic image.
In today’s post, I’ll share the highlights and how to visit the West Union Gardens sunflower field, a sunflower field in Oregon that’s open to the public.
West Union Gardens Sunflower Field
There are a number of sunflower fields in Oregon. One of the closest to Portland is at West Union Gardens in Hillsboro, Oregon, just 20 minutes by car west of Portland (Google Maps link here). The gardens are well-known for berries and cucumbers, but they also have stunning sunflower fields in late summer.
The peak bloom window for sunflowers is short (1-2 weeks), so keep an eye on the West Union Gardens website for bloom updates. When we visited the gardens in 2022, West Union Gardens had planted two sunflower fields at staggered intervals, with one peaking in early August and the second peaking in September. The garden website is updated daily with condition reports during the growing season, which are key for planning your visit.
Tickets are required to see the West Union Gardens sunflowers ($5/person in 2022). West Union Gardens only releases tickets for the period when the peak sunflower bloom is expected, which eliminates the problem of guessing when to go. The peak bloom varies from year to year and may not be posted long in advance.
Not sure if it’s worth a visit? Check out our video of the West Union Gardens sunflower field below for a preview.
Our video of the West Union Gardens sunflower field
We got to the West Union Gardens sunflower field a little before sunset, so after a stroll around the field, we chose a spot to sit among the flowers and visit until the sun started to set. A great way to unwind!
Unusually among sunflower fields in Oregon, and flower farms in general, West Union Gardens allows visitors to walk through the rows of flowers (not just at the edges). It’s definitely a cool experience to be in the sunflower field rather than just next to it.
Why Do Sunflowers Face East?
Before visiting these Oregon sunflower fields, I’d only seen occasional clumps of sunflowers, tucked here and there among the houses in the neighborhood. There were never enough sunflowers in a group to really notice their bizarre tendency to face the same direction. But when you’re looking out upon thousands of sunflowers, it’s strikingly obvious, and also strangely fascinating.
Per ScienceDirect, sunflowers initially track the sun throughout the day. As the sun moves from east to west, so do the flower heads. But over time, as the sunflowers reach their full maturity, they stop moving and remain fixed, the flower heads pointing east.
Other Adventures in the Pacific Northwest
Thanks for joining us at the West Union Gardens sunflowers! If you enjoy this sunflower field in Oregon, I’d recommend checking out our blog post on 10 top Oregon flower farms and gardens. There’s a whole succession of flower farms and gardens to visit between March and September.
For more adventure ideas in the Pacific Northwest, check out our PNW Trip Planner. You can find adventures near you and filter by season and difficulty level. There are weird and wonderful things to explore any time of year. The trip planner links to blog posts to help you plan your next adventure.
Happy exploring!
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