An afternoon at Elk Rock Garden and Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

It was a gorgeous 80+ degrees on October 15th, and also very windy. A great day to be outside, but not a great day to be working in the garden. So I set out to visit Elk Rock Garden and Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. I've visited (and shared images from) Elk Rock many times, but I think this sign is new since my last visit. Who would think of moving the newts!? (every 12 year old boy that's who)

This visit I started my walk from a slightly different spot, it's good to change things up.

Oxydendrum arboreum, the sourwood tree.

I've read it's the leaves that have a sour taste and give this tree it's common name. I know it for its yellow seeds and vibrant fall foliage.

A sunny day with a low sun-angle makes for very challenging photography.

This area with troughs from Berry Botanic Garden (a local botanic garden that has been shuttered for many years) seemed more cared for than in the past.

Although the troughs could still use a little more love.

I wonder why "The Berry Botanic Garden" is no longer legible at the bottom of the signage?

I don't remember seeing this fern on previous visits, interesting. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I have an idea, maybe a little guerrilla gardening? (hmm...) I hope it lives.

I love this view. Maybe not the best day to photograph it though.

Monkey puzzle! (Araucaria araucana)

Cyclamen hederifolium

Next up that afternoon, Portland's Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, I'd never before visited, so it was time.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I had a feeling this was more of a park-like setting than a botanic garden, and that was definitely the case.

Old rhododendron legs...

And a bit of history...

"Here in the charm of this exquisite garden living beauty may ever dwell in full glory..." the beginnings of the garden date to 1950 and it seems to have earned the blessing of the American Rhododendron Society.

Did I mention what a beautiful day it was?

Muskrat? Nutria? I'm not sure but I'm leaning towards Nutria.

Mr. Duck giving me the side-eye for disturbing its nap.

I do love a weeping willow, especially one water-side.

Opuntia! That's unexpected.

I looked around for an Agave but did not spot one.

I saw the fruit laying around before the foliage. I know Gingko fruit has a stinky reputation, I didn't detect an odor but also didn't pick any up to get closer, and was careful not to step on it.

Ferns growing out of a rock wall are *almost* as good as agaves growing out of a rock wall.

Adiantum aleuticum var. subpumilim, maybe?

This wall and its fern inhabitants might be my favorite feature of the garden.

Asplenium scolopendrium, the Hart's-tongue fern

Will I return to the CSRG? Maybe. It's a little more challenging to visit than Elk Rock, in that there's a very small parking lot and an admission fee.

Still, I suppose I'll need to return in the springtime, to really give it a proper look over. It did make a nice place to wander on an unusually warm autumn day.

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Walking the Cottage District, the final act of the Buffalo Fling

The 2026 Buffalo Garden Fling ended with another afternoon walking tour, this time through the Cottage District. If memory serves I snapped this photo as we got off the bus, I don't think this garden was open for us to explore.

From the Fling program: A NOTE ON THE COTTAGE DISTRICT. This area is the beating heart of Buffalo’s annual Garden Walk. Thousands descend on this charming neighborhood of (mostly) 19th century workers’ cottages and their accompanying gardens, which are usually too small for more than 10 visitors at a time. These gardens illustrate perfectly why a big bank account and a half acre of space aren’t necessarily the key ingredients for a spectacular American garden.

There were six open gardens listed on the program map. I moved through them as part of a random expanding and contracting group, following folks who seemed to know where they were going. I failed completely at noting whose garden we were visiting, they all ran together, along with interesting front gardens we walked by, like this one. Well, I guess it isn't really a garden, but it was interesting. What's the story on the pink buffalo? And the rock? And the solar lighting?

High contrast for the win here...

Many of these homes had such a distinctive style.

I love a vintage metal urn or two. I think it deserves a more adventurous planting however.

Gomphrena

And so much color!

This gardener (the previous 3 photos were from the same garden) expanded the space available to her by building a platform on the roof of her garage. We were forbidden to climb up there...

... and if I remember correctly she no longer uses the space, an age and ability issue.

Onward! To an area with oddly shaped lots and narrow passageways.

A fun way to go vertical with your terracotta pots.

Cotton candy pink and tangerine, that's an unusual house-color combination.

Lush front garden plantings...

This was one of the widest entries we walked down that day. You could drive an actual car through there! 

Of course plants (lots and lots of Coleus) were given priority over motor vehicles.

Flingers enjoying a sit spot.

A parting shot.

And my last Fling photo!

In case you haven't heard, the Garden Fling returns to Portland in 2027—July 22-25 (plus an optional day on the 26th)—I'm not part of the planning team this time, but I know the team is putting together an amazing weekend!

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All material © 2009-2026 by Loree L Bohl. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.