Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is the garden Portlanders keep for themselves, tucked into the Eastmoreland neighborhood beside Reed College and far from the tour-bus circuit of Washington Park. It covers about nine and a half acres, and almost every path leads to water: spring-fed Crystal Springs Lake wraps around much of the garden, drawing ducks, geese, herons and dozens of other bird species, while waterfalls built from rock brought from Mount Hood and Mount Adams spill into lagoons and a fountain plays near the center. The plantings are the reason it exists. More than 2,500 rhododendrons, azaleas and companion plants fill the slopes and islands, from huge old species rhododendrons to compact hybrids, and the bloom season runs from early spring into summer, peaking in April and May when the garden becomes a riot of pink, red, purple, white and yellow reflected in the lake. The Early Show is held on the first weekend of April, and a larger display fills the garden over Mother's Day weekend. Out of season the garden is calm and green, with companion trees giving fall color and the birds providing year-round interest. Admission is modest, with reduced rates for seniors and youth, free entry for young children with an adult, and a pay-what-you-wish community access program for qualifying visitors. The garden is open daily from morning to late afternoon, with shorter afternoon-only hours on Wednesdays, and the gates and parking lot lock at closing time. Paths are a mix of paved and unpaved, there is an accessible restroom, and dogs are allowed on leash.

Why go: if the Japanese Garden is Portland's masterpiece and the Rose Garden its showpiece, Crystal Springs is its secret. It feels like a neighborhood park that happens to be exquisite, and the combination of water, birds and flowers makes it one of the most relaxing hours in the city. Photographers love the reflections and the arched bridge, and birders come for the waterfowl, especially in winter when migratory ducks rest on the lake. Please do not feed the birds; the garden discourages it to keep them healthy.

How to visit: in April and May, arrive early on weekdays to avoid the crowds that gather for peak bloom, and allow an hour to circle the lake and cross the islands. Outside bloom season, forty-five minutes is enough for a peaceful loop. Guided tours are offered, and some areas may be busy or partly closed on weekends because of weddings and special events, so weekday visits are the calmest. The garden's spring shows are worth planning around if you are a plant lover.

Fitting it in: the garden is in Southeast Portland, about fifteen minutes by car from downtown, and buses run nearby along SE 28th Avenue and Woodstock Boulevard. Combine it with a walk through the leafy Reed College campus next door, lunch in the Sellwood or Woodstock neighborhoods, or an afternoon in Sellwood's antique shops. It suits couples, gardeners and families with small children who will enjoy spotting ducks and herons.