A Hidden Garden Along Highway 101: The Magic of Old House Dahlias

There is an abundance of things to do when you live in the Pacific Northwest. There’s always fishing, crabbing, climbing, hunting, hiking, and so much more. But some of my favorite adventures are finding hidden gems in the least expected places—the little secret spots that sit just off the beaten path.

Old House Dahlias is definitely on that list.

Sitting along Highway 101 just south of Tillamook is a beautifully restored old house, an old red barn, and an incredible field filled with dahlias and sunflowers. As summer moves along, the old house almost begins to fade into the background as the flowers bloom brighter and brighter each day.

Stepping Back in Time

So, what can you expect when you arrive at Old House Dahlias?

Honestly, it feels a little like stepping back in time.

First of all, it’s quiet. You’re away from the hustle and bustle, and there’s something about the place that immediately makes you slow down. You’ll also likely be greeted by two very happy hound dogs.

Cell service can be pretty limited in the area, and I don’t think Mark is particularly big on Venmo, so if you’re planning on buying cut flowers, bring some cash. Cash is king anyway.

One of the things I love about the farm is how easy it is to simply wander around and enjoy it. The rows are laid out beautifully, and the flowers are arranged so thoughtfully that your brain doesn’t really have to do any work. You just walk, look around, and take it all in.

The Man Behind the Flowers

So, who is behind this incredible place?

Mark Harvey, an Oregon native from Aloha, has made a living and a name for himself doing what he does best—growing dahlias.

He got into the dahlia business about 20 years ago in the Portland area and has been growing and producing quality dahlia tubers ever since. His primary focus is his online tuber business, which has become known for quality, rare, and highly sought-after dahlia varieties.

His customer base stretches across the country, and he has certainly made a name for himself within the dahlia-growing community.

While the online tuber business is a major part of the operation, Old House Dahlias is a year-round labor of love. During blooming season, the farm opens up and gives visitors a chance to walk through the fields, see the flowers in person, and surround themselves with hundreds of incredible varieties of dahlias coming at you from almost every direction.

And in the directions where there aren't dahlias? Well, there are sunflowers.

Not a bad problem to have.

Not Your Typical Flower Farm

Unlike many other flower farms around Oregon, Old House Dahlias isn't a traditional U-pick farm.

Mark Harvey has his own style, and whatever formula he has developed over the years seems to work. There is no denying the joy this place brings to people during the summer and fall months.

There's also something different about it.

Oregon has plenty of popular flower farms, but Old House Dahlias has a peaceful, almost healing quality that is difficult to explain until you've actually been there.

One woman I spoke with mentioned that she had traveled to Germany many times and that Old House Dahlias reminded her of the flowers she had seen there. She said she hadn't come across many flower farms quite like this one.

Colors That Almost Don't Look Real

Another unique aspect of Old House Dahlias is its location and the way the coastal weather seems to affect the flowers.

One annual visitor explained it perfectly:

“Swan Island and many other dahlia farms are incredibly beautiful, and we visit those every year, too. But we always have to come here because nobody has flowers as vibrant and rich with color as the dahlias here at Old House Dahlias.”

And there really is something to that.

Maybe it's the sunshine without the extreme heat. Maybe it's the cool coastal nights. Maybe dahlias simply love late summer in this part of Oregon.

Whatever the reason, standing in those fields surrounded by brilliant colors in every direction is quite a sight.

Toward the back of the farm, the rows almost look like blankets made from hundreds of different varieties of dahlias. The display garden near the front is a masterpiece of its own, with varieties arranged alphabetically so visitors can actually identify what they're looking at.

Then there is the garden surrounding the old house itself.

That's one of my favorite parts because, at least from what I've noticed, it isn't exactly the same every year. There's always something a little different to discover.

Flowers, Festivals, and Pumpkins

Old House Dahlias is a great stop if you're traveling along Highway 101. During blooming season, you can purchase cut flower stems and build a bouquet to take home.

The main blooming months are generally July, August, September, and into October, depending on the weather and when that first frost finally arrives.

Then come the pumpkins.

It's always a little sad watching the flowers disappear for the year, but at least you have the pumpkin patch to look forward to.

And this isn't just a field of ordinary orange pumpkins.

You'll find an awesome variety, including Blue Doll pumpkins, Cinderella pumpkins, pie pumpkins, white pumpkins, and plenty of others. Walking through the patch and finding that perfect weird, colorful, or oversized pumpkin is part of the fun.

The Dahlia Festival is another event worth looking forward to, especially if you're serious about growing dahlias yourself.

It's one thing to look at varieties online. It's completely different seeing them blooming right in front of you. During the festival, visitors can see the different varieties in person and place orders based on the flowers they actually see growing in the field.

If you know anything about ordering flowers online, you know how valuable that can be.

Fall at the Farm

The pumpkin patch has become increasingly popular, and it seems to grow a little more every year.

Mark stays true to the simple, cozy style that makes this place special. There's a sense of nostalgia here that you don't find everywhere anymore—classic hayrides, families wandering through the pumpkin patch, kids picking out pumpkins, and, sometimes, plenty of Oregon mud.

That's part of the experience.

Even when the farm is busy, traffic feels different here. Time seems to slow down a little.

And it doesn't hurt that, in my opinion, he has some of the best pumpkins and prices around.

One of My Favorite Stops Along Highway 101

I love this place, but I don't think I've ever met anyone who visited Old House Dahlias and didn't enjoy it.

There are people all over the country who order tubers from Mark and talk about wanting to visit the farm someday. Meanwhile, we have this incredible little place sitting right along Highway 101 on the Oregon Coast.

So, if the opportunity presents itself, stop.

Tell yourself you're only going to spend 20 minutes there.

Just know that those 20 minutes have a funny way of turning into an hour.

And if you're lucky enough to have nowhere else you need to be?

Forget the clock and enjoy the afternoon.

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