* Meeting Information * News and Events * Spring Show * Pt Defiance Rhododendron Garden *
* Tacoma ARS Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society *
* Website Map * back to The Anderson Garden *

Point Defiance Rhododendron Garden

A Project of the Tacoma Chapter of
The American Rhododendron Society

* Introduction * Garden Map * Special Plants * June Bloomers * Garden Restoration Work * Azalea Slope*
* ARS Article * Metro Park Cooperation * About Point Defiance Park *
* Memorial Bench * Picture Storage * Rededication, May 14, 2005 * 
*Lem's Original Point Defiance Rhododendron Plant * Seedling Bed Discovery *

The Rhododendron Garden at Point Defiance Park is a cooperative venture that began in 1956 between the Tacoma Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society and the Metropolitan Park Disctrict of Tacoma. In 1968, the garden was moved from the zoo area to its current location on the five-mile drive. The park district provides six acres of space, water, fire protection, and some of the heavy maintenance, while the chapter donates the plants and volunteer time for upkeep. Our Tacoma group also constructed a large picnic shelter for public use. (See Refurbishing the Garden Shelter.) In addition, in 1993, the chapter gave $400 for the sign at right and $2000 for general maintenance in 1994. Grants from the American Rhododendron Society for the garden have totalled more than $7000.

 

 

Most of the rhododendrons were planted during the late 1950s and 1960s, so some are quite large. They grew untended for many years, but so did the trees and underbrush around them. The American Rhododendron Society awarded grants to our chapter in 2003 and 2004 for restoration work and additional plant aquisition.

A current project in the garden is creation of an azalea slope. We have cleared a sloping draw with a path through it and are ready for planting. Everything should be in place by next blooming season.

See the Map page to help visualize the scope of this garden and see the plant list.

 

If you like working in the woods with rhododendrons, come join us on one of our work days. You can help create a beautiful garden for thousands of people to enjoy, and have fun with some congenial people at the same time. See the Restoration page for more information and pictures.