Monday, May 21, 2012

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

Rhododendron Garden 

The week before last I was reminded there is a rhododendron garden here by following PDX Pipeline on twitter (& more specifically on instagram.) As soon as I saw their pictures I realized that the rhododendrons would be in bloom and peaking soon. I had definitely noticed they were peaking around town. A little internet research proved that was correct, Mother's Day weekend is a big weekend for the rhododendron Garden. They have a plant sale, prize winning rhododendrons on display, and most of the park was in bloom. 

Rhododendron Garden Rhododendron Garden

They come in all colors and sizes. I certainly don't remember all the names, but a few, like the Blue Peter Rhododendron, Lem's Cameo, and Double Date stood out. The labels at the plant show helped a lot, but it might to take me a few more visits to put all the names with faces. We were amused that several of the rhodies were displayed in beer bottles

Wood Duck Mother and Babies Wood Duck

There's also a lot of water in the garden, attracting various kinds of water foul. I was really excited to see wood duck for the first time. We even got to see a whole family, although the mother was quick and busy, with her ducklings struggling to keep up. Informational signs also indicated the bufflehead is a regular. It's an interesting bird that I'd really like to see sometime. Of course there were geese all over. They didn't seem to be too bothered by people, although I did elicit a lazy hiss from one by just walking past its resting spot. Oh, and a couple of sleeping ducks who were very cute. They'd drift apart and then wake up just to paddle closer together, then go back to sleep until they drifted apart again. 

Dove Tree Rhododendron Garden

The park has a few other interesting plants other than Rhododendrons and I'm sure it would be a very nice place for a visit at almost any time of year. I was particularly taken by the dove tree. At first glance I thought it just had the occasional lightly colored leaf, which looked strange enough, but I quickly realized there were  strangely shaped white flowers. There were a few other flowers that I have yet to identify, but they were all very pretty. And there were ferns throughout the garden, including a few growing through a wall by the water. 

It's a very pretty garden, and there should still be plenty of blooms for the next few weeks. It's worth the visit regardless, and only costs $3/person. We also did a little bit of exploring on the Reed College campus nearby. Very pretty, but I didn't get to take any pictures because I'd filled my camera with Rhododendrons, and forgotten to bring a back up SD card. I guess that's just a reason to go back sometime soon.

5 comments:

Petite Cabbage Press said...

It's free before 10:00 a.m., too! And less busy. Not that I mind giving a donation! It's always a great place to see some wildlife that isn't in the city as much -- red-winged blackbirds, herons, steller's jays. so cute that you saw ducklings :)

Unknown said...

I think it's also free a couple of weekdays as well. I had a great time there on Saturday, but I'm jealous that you saw the wood duck! Great pix!

oakleyses said...

nike free, longchamp pas cher, longchamp outlet, tiffany jewelry, nike free run, replica watches, tory burch outlet, longchamp outlet, christian louboutin, uggs on sale, christian louboutin shoes, michael kors pas cher, nike outlet, jordan shoes, louis vuitton outlet, polo ralph lauren outlet online, ugg boots, polo outlet, prada outlet, oakley sunglasses, sac longchamp pas cher, christian louboutin outlet, replica watches, oakley sunglasses wholesale, oakley sunglasses, louis vuitton outlet, ray ban sunglasses, louboutin pas cher, kate spade outlet, longchamp outlet, tiffany and co, chanel handbags, prada handbags, ray ban sunglasses, ray ban sunglasses, gucci handbags, louis vuitton, louis vuitton outlet, jordan pas cher, louis vuitton, burberry pas cher, polo ralph lauren, air max, nike roshe, ugg boots, oakley sunglasses, nike air max, cheap oakley sunglasses, christian louboutin uk

oakleyses said...

hollister, beats by dre, lululemon, timberland boots, insanity workout, nike huaraches, p90x workout, iphone cases, soccer jerseys, instyler, nike air max, abercrombie and fitch, wedding dresses, hermes belt, ray ban, ralph lauren, valentino shoes, jimmy choo outlet, chi flat iron, converse outlet, converse, new balance shoes, ferragamo shoes, baseball bats, lancel, reebok outlet, nike roshe run, longchamp uk, mac cosmetics, nike trainers uk, nfl jerseys, ghd hair, soccer shoes, celine handbags, north face outlet, gucci, nike air max, asics running shoes, vans, mont blanc pens, oakley, north face outlet, bottega veneta, babyliss, herve leger, louboutin, mcm handbags, hollister clothing, hollister, vans outlet

oakleyses said...

juicy couture outlet, canada goose uk, karen millen uk, doudoune moncler, wedding dresses, ugg,ugg australia,ugg italia, supra shoes, pandora charms, pandora jewelry, coach outlet, louis vuitton, montre pas cher, canada goose, canada goose jackets, swarovski crystal, canada goose outlet, canada goose outlet, marc jacobs, swarovski, moncler outlet, moncler uk, ugg pas cher, louis vuitton, juicy couture outlet, ugg uk, pandora jewelry, moncler, canada goose outlet, canada goose, louis vuitton, louis vuitton, pandora uk, toms shoes, ugg, moncler, moncler outlet, links of london, thomas sabo, replica watches, louis vuitton, moncler, ugg,uggs,uggs canada, canada goose, hollister, moncler