This Western Trillium is on its way out, turning from white at its first bloom to this, and a deeper shade of purple. Trilliums arrive in late March and stick around into May. Much lore surrounds this flower including the warning that if you pick it, rain will follow. In the Pacific Northwest, chances are that in the spring, the rain is going to come whether you pick the flower or not. Be sure to catch the Trillium Festival and Hardy Plant Sale at Tryon Creek April 5 and 6.

Tulips can be found all around Lake Oswego from yards and parks to median plantings but if you really want a show, head down to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest in Woodburn between March 28-May 4.

This well established rhododendron in my front yard puts on a fabulous show for about three weeks every spring.

While Lake Oswego is known for its hanging baskets that line city streets from spring through summer with cascading color, planted medians along city streets also infuse the town with colors that change with the seasons. Here is a typical spring display.

Just as Lake Oswego blazes in oranges, reds and yellows in the fall, spring streets are lined in pink, yellow and white thanks to all the flowering dogwood, Japanese cherry and magnolia trees around.

Walking around the lake is always a beautiful stretch, but springtime colors in front yards offer an added bonus to the adventurous.