What to Expect at the Adelman Peony Gardens: From a Photographer

Whether you're a traveler, photographer, or local Oregon enthusiast...

Here are some tips and information about the Adelman Peony Gardens in Salem, Oregon, from someone who visits several times each year. Hi, my name is Emma, and I am a portrait and couple's adventure photographer based out of Salem, Oregon, and I LOVE FLOWERS! There is a special place in my heart for Adelman, though. It was the location of one of my first shoots ever! Needless to say, I am really excited to share my knowledge with you.

Maybe you read through this, and are now wondering if I will do a session with you there... Let's make it happen! You can go over to my Contact page in the Menu on the top right to tell me more about your dream photoshoot.

To learn all about this wonderful place, keep reading!

Adelman Peony Gardens

Location: 5690 Brooklake Rd NE, Salem, OR 97305

Fee: no fees

Hours: (typically) May 1 - June 15, 9am-5pm

Amenities: 25 acres (500 varieties) of peony rows to walk around, a smaller flower garden with benches, cut peonies available for sale ($3-4 per stem), some portable bathrooms

Parking: lots of parking that sometimes fills up on busy days, such as sunny Saturdays

Some other things you should know about...

Crowds?

This location is growing in popularity, and last time I checked their Instagram, it was up to about 15k followers! Because of this, crowds on sunny Saturdays are inevitable. Here are some alternatives: go on a weekday or arrive on Saturday just as they open. Or, check the weather ahead of time and pick a cloudy day.

Picnics + food

While Adelman often does not offer food, they do recommend bringing your own food items for a picnic! See below for a picnic that a REAL CLIENT helped me create - the charcuterie board was to die for, and I think the photos turned out pretty awesome. What foods would you bring on a picnic here?

Blooming season

Like any other field of flowers, remember that they bloom at various times. Look at the photo above. The flowers in front of the couple hadn't bloomed yet. For field updates, you can stay posted with Adelman's Instagram at @adelmanpeonygardens. I recommend waiting until 50% bloom if possible, which typically happens later in the season.

Weather

Welcome to Oregon! It rains. Often. However, because it is Oregon, the weather may change at any minute. I always recommend bringing layers and potentially an umbrella just in case. Be aware that when it rains, mud may pile up in the grass walkways, so consider bringing boots! If you book a shoot with me, I will stay up to date on weather for you.

Fun Fact: My favorite peony flowers are the Coral Charm! Can you find them at the Adelman Peony Gardens?

What kind of photoshoot might you be looking at?

Proposal: This location is STUNNING! I photographed a secret proposal and had so much fun with it! Alif (pictured near the top) and I had emailed back and forth several times to determine a plan, and then I followed them around as we secretly communicated until he popped the question. One of Mynga's (his now fiancee) biggest requests was that no one else was around. Fortunately, the weather had predicted rain, which lessened the crowds, and he proposed in a quiet corner of the fields! It was SO DREAMY.

Besties: This is the place if you're looking for a fun, bright shoot with your best friend. Madison and Olivia (pictured above) were the absolute sweetest, and we brought our heads together to create a bright, boho picnic worthy of a professional styled shoot.

Baby announcement, maternity, or motherhood: If you are looking for a beautiful location that is quiet, earth-filled, and reminiscent of growth, these fields might be for you! Spring certainly reminds me of new life and new seasons of change. You can walk as much or as little as you want, or if you bring a little one, they will love soaring through the tall rows of peonies and smelling the sweet flowers.

Portraits: Do you love wearing dresses? Do you vibe with cottage core or boho? This is the perfect spot for you! I love capturing movement through flowy dresses, and capturing the essence of spring in a felt hat, picnic basket, and flowers.

Still not sure if this is for you? Read a client review of the Adelman Peony Gardens below!

"Emma! Thank you so much for being there to capture a moment we'll safely hold in our hearts through every single lifetime. I appreciate everything you did with Alif to ensure it went perfectly. I know there were so many external factors [weather, delayed arrival, contacting in secret] that probably made this difficult but Alif said you handled all of it with so much care and understanding. A proposal in a peony farm (and a beginning to our forever) is an absolute dream and we couldn't have asked for a sweeter, more thoughtful, and genuine excitement from a photographer. AND you went above and beyond to coordinate the coziest picnic. Once again, thank you so much."