Berry Botanic Garden

Dunthorpe, Oregon, United States

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Berry Botanic Garden in Dunthorpe, Oregon, was a botanical garden originally established in the 1930s by Rae Selling Berry, a passionate plantswoman who specialized in collecting rare and alpine plants.

The garden, spanning 6.5 acres, was known for its extensive collections of primulas (primroses), rhododendrons, alpine and subalpine plants, as well as native plants of the Pacific Northwest. It featured the largest public rock garden on the West Coast and a pioneering seed bank dedicated to preserving rare native plants of the region, housing over 14,000 packets of seeds from more than 300 rare species.

The garden was created on a natural bowl-shaped site with varied habitats, including springs, creeks, and woodlands, enhancing the display and conservation of its plants. Although located near Portland, it embraced a broader mission of plant conservation, research, and education until it had to close due to financial difficulties, with its seed collection entrusted to Portland State University for ongoing preservation.

This garden remains an important legacy of Rae Berry's dedication to horticulture and conservation.