Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

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The Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is a 9-acre garden located at 5801 SE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97214. This beautiful space was founded in 1923 and hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors today.

Add the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden to your itinerary the next time you visit Portland, Oregon, and get ready for an afternoon full of stunning sites, photo opportunities, and lifelong memories.

The Garden’s History

The Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden of Portland, OR was originally established as a test garden to grow and protect rhododendrons over a period of time. After many ideas for the land fell through, the Portland Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society and many volunteers helped to create a flourishing garden that became the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in 1964.

Volunteers and passionate florists donated many of the flowers and plants so visitors could see a variety of lively flowers that otherwise would not be found in the Pacific Northwest. Over 2,000 rhododendrons, azaleas, and other plants can be seen year-round in the garden surrounded by the spring-fed Crystal Springs Lake, which is home to various birds and waterfowl native to Oregon.

You will have something to see when you visit this destination in Portland, Oregon, at any time of the year. Early spring and summer offer a beautiful display of color, and fall provides dramatic foliage displayed by the companion trees.

How to Get There

The Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is located at 5801 SE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97214. This is one block north of Woodstock between the Eastmoreland Golf Course and Reed College. If you are arriving using public transit, the TriMet bus #19 from Woodstock takes alternating routes as it passes through Eastmoreland, Portland. There is a stop close to the garden.

Park Admission

The famous park in Portland, Oregon, is open from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM and has a few admission guidelines:

  • $5 admission fee Tuesday-Sunday
  • No admission fee on Mondays
  • Children 10 and under have free entry

The admission fees are for maintaining the Portland, OR park. Some areas may have limited accessibility on the weekends because of special events.

Amenities and Activities

There is something for everyone at the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. These are just some of the amenities and activities the park has to offer, in addition to seeing the rhododendrons:

  • Accessible restroom
  • Guided tours
  • Visitor attractions
  • Paved and unpaved paths
  • A fountain for stunning pictures

Events

The first weekend of April is the Early Show, which features hundreds of trusses of the early-blooming Oregon rhododendrons the garden is known for. There is also a large display on Mother’s Day weekend. Groups with 15 or more visitors are recommended to call the park one week in advance for accommodation.

The park is also recognized as a wedding destination. Many weddings are hosted throughout the season, from May to September. You can make wedding reservations at the Portland garden through the website.

Nearby Places to Visit

There are many restaurants, attractions, and lodging accommodations near 5801 SE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97214. Once you’ve completed your tour of the Garden, there are plenty of places to continue your trip in Portland, OR.

For places to eat during your visit:

  • Papa Haydn East
  • a Cena Ristorante
  • Hopworks Urban Brewery

Attractions to see while you’re in the area:

  • Westmoreland Park
  • Gigantic Brewing
  • Tilikum Crossing

For places to stay during your visit:

  • Bluebird Guest House
  • Hilton Portland Downtown
  • River’s Edge Hotel

Final Thoughts

Spending a day at the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in Portland, OR, will be an unforgettable experience. The rare species and hybrids of rhododendrons, azaleas, varieties of shrubs, companion plants, and unfamiliar trees will interest even those who know very little about the state’s flora.

 

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