The Cecil and Molly Smith garden positively reflects the lives of a couple who generously left a rhododendron legacy for future generations to enjoy.

The garden is open every Saturday and Sunday April 3rd - May 23rd from 11am till 4pm.
Visitors information

Garden Description

A canopy of native Douglas firs creates an ideal environment for a natural woodland garden of rare beauty, featuring superior forms of species and hybrid rhododendrons. Complimenting the rhododendron collection are choice trees, shrubs, wildflowers and bulbs. Each pathway reveals it's own visual treat - a moss covered log with plants tucked into bark crevices, a fern garden, drifts of wild flowers. Masses of Cyclamen, Narcissus, Erythronium and Trillium flourish here, all perfect compliments to a rare collection of rhododendrons.

The Smith Garden has charmed and delighted visitors from around the world. It has been featured on the cover of Horticultural Magazine and in the PBS television show "Victory Garden". Mike Darcy has also highlighted the garden on his television show, and it is included in the book The American Man's Garden by Rosemary Verey.

A variety of new plantings have recently been added, providing interest for both rhododendron enthusiasts and garden lovers.

Garden History

Cecil and Molly Smith were the founders and developers of what has become this internationally renowned garden.

Cecil started collecting rhododendrons in the late '40's at their first home adjacent to the present day garden near Newberg. Cecil was a grass seed grower by trade and originally owned much of the surrounding land. In 1951 they obtained the garden property, finished their new house and started the garden.

Cecil had grown up at Champoeg in the Willamette Valley and treasured it's native plants. He became interested in discovering the best Genus Rhododendron had to offer, becoming an early member of the American Rhododendron Society in 1947. He eventually helped sponsor expeditions to the Himalayas and experimented with hybridizing. His efforts were directed at what he thought to be the most outstanding rhododendron characteristics: fine foliage and great flowers.

Rhododendrons are the garden's featured plants. Cecil was among the first to grow R. yakushimanum and use it for hybridizing. He was a "leaf turner" and loved the fine indumentum of R. yakushimanum and R. bureavii. He combined these two species and produced ’Cinnamon Bear’, the signature plant of the garden. A number of his crosses are still found in the trade, including ’Noyo Brave’ and ’Yellow Saucer’.

Cecil was very generous with his plants, sharing cuttings, seed and pollen. He wrote articles for the American Rhododendron Society, and his photos were used extensively.

The woodland garden encompasses about three acres sloping gently to the north. Cecil took advantage of slope and constructed paths that weave from top to bottom of the property. Decaying logs, tree stumps and fallen limbs have been retained for their natural beauty. This accumulation of "duff" provides most of the garden's nutrients, and little fertilization is required. The garden is weeded because as Cecil noted, "Unless a woodland garden is weeded, it is not a garden but a wild area."

Although never taking much credit, Molly contributed through the years with garden upkeep and maintenance. While they lived at the garden, the Smiths freely shared it with others and hosted many garden tours. No one interested in rhododendrons was denied a visit. Cecil and Molly have each received ARS Bronze Medals - Portland Chapter's highest award. Molly humerously commented that no one had ever received a Bronze Medal for baking cookies. She was always the gracious hostess, welcoming guests into her home and garden with freshly baked cookies.

In 1983, after more than thirty years of devoted stewardship, Cecil and Molly Smith reached the point where they could no longer care for the garden. The Portland Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society purchased the garden and, along with the Willamette and Tualatin Valley Chapters, now manages and maintains it. Cecil Smith died in 1998, and Molly died in 2007.