Uncategorized

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden: LAPC & FOTD

In early May, I visited the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in Portland, Oregon.

The 9.5-acre garden contains more that 2,500 types of rhododendrons, azaleas, and companion plants. This site was donated by the Jackson family in 1950.

After paying admission, you’ll enter the garden over this beautiful bridge.

From the bridge, you’ll get a good view of part of Crystal Springs Lake. As you can see, visitors were wearing their raingear as the rain poured down around them on this spring day.

In the spring and summer months, visitors will see hundreds of plants in full bloom.

There’s about a mile of trails in this garden. This path takes you by a peaceful fountain.

The garden has layers of groundcovers, shrubs, and trees.

Some of the rhododendrons were taller than trees growing in my yard.

Others had interesting bark.

This trail was bordered with a wide variety of colorful blossoms.

There were many pretty varieties of azaleas, including this one with deep orange blossoms.

Here’s a close up of one of its blossom.

The landscaping along this path had groundcover plants like hostas and ferns.

Here’s a closer view of one of the hostas.

This azalea with yellow blossoms was one of my favorites.

I also liked this white rhododendron with pink highlights.

Visiting the Garden

If you plan to visit the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, you should know that parking is limited. You might want to use a rideshare service, as I did, or consider other options.

To show you the layout of this large garden, I’m including a Google satellite view. You can see the garden on the left side of the picture.

Bend Branches always appreciates your comments and likes. Comments may not appear right away since they’re screened for spam prior to posting. Thanks!

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge (LAPC) – Floral

Flower of the Day (FOTD)

SoyBend

Centered in Bend, Oregon, my blog branches out into nature, history, and art-related topics.

View Comments

  • What views that garden offers! Your photos are gorgeous. Thanks for the info about the gardens.

  • A lovely stroll through a magical garden - the best way to spend a spring day! Your garden reminded me very much of our own Magnolia Gardens Siobhan.

    • Thanks, Tina! It is a beautiful garden. However, I learned the hard way that a water resistant coat is not the same as a water proof coat on a rainy day. 😐

  • For some reason, I think the rain brings out the best of the best in flower gardens. The contrast in colors and less light is fabulous. But the Oregon green is always a nice accent too. Very nice!

    • Thanks, Donna! Yes, rain does change the lighting and mood. Note to self: Bring raingear next time! :D

      • hahaha. We are wearing those shoes right now. We did bring rain coats on this trip, but figured Italy would promise sun so we left the pants at home. Oh, well. None of us has melted yet.

  • What a beautiful garden, Siobhan! I could spend a lovely day there, just enjoying the surroundings.

Recent Posts

Rosemary and Fox: Foodie Friday

I had a delicious meal recently at Rosemary and Fox in downtown Bend, Oregon. This…

1 day ago

High Desert Voices November 2026

Here’s the High Desert Voices November 2026 newsletter for your reading pleasure. Lots of nice photos…

2 days ago

I think I can train: Wordless Wednesday

I think I can train at Columbia Gorge Museum, Stevenson, Washington Wordless Wednesday Bend Branches…

3 days ago

Hairy Woodpecker: Birds of the Week

This morning, while out walking my dogs, I saw this Hairy Woodpecker, Leuconotopicus villosus. These…

4 days ago

At harvest time: LAPC

Every year at harvest time,trees wait patiently,standing in line Leaves fluttering in the breezereveal ripening…

6 days ago

Brother Jon’s: Foodie Friday

Brother Jon's is one of my go-to restaurants in Bend, Oregon. If we have friends…

1 week ago