Petals of pink

If you visit this quirky outpost in the Pacific Northwest, you'll be stunned by the flora. Though not native to the area, pink dahlias like this one join the countless flower species accenting Portland's eternal greenery. As you revel in the vast assortment of blossoms, don't forget to stop and smell the local favourite. Portland is known as the City of Roses (among other quirky nicknames), with its misty winters and dry, sunny summers creating the ideal rose-growing climate. As well as the Portland Rose Festival, it's home to the International Rose Test Garden, a centre of rose research where 600 varieties bloom each June on a staggering 10,000 bushes. Trust us, it's worth the thorns!