A Very Pleasant Afternoon

I visited the Leach Botanical Garden this afternoon. It's quite a ways from my house...out in deep southeast Portland - almost an hour's drive this afternoon. But a destination well worth the effort! It's got a fascinating history which you can read about on their website. John and Lilla Leach married in 1913 and eventually spent many summers plant collecting through SW Oregon. Their beautiful little spot in SE Portland became their expanding garden. Years later, this is what it has grown into. A really stunning spot.

The main and one of the extras are of the pollinator garden - designed in a prairie style with a mix of perennials and ornamental grasses, flanked by woody shrubs. The garden provides pollinators such as birds, bats, butterflies, moths, and bees with food and shelter. Approximately 48,000 (!) plants were planted, 30,000 of which were bulbs including 276 unique species.

Well worth the trip!

In the 2nd extra is the Aerial Tree Walk which provides a bird's-eye view of the surrounding garden. 36' tall at its highest point.