The Rhododendron Garden
“I am Nelson Mountain Gardens. walk with me, breathe in my beauty, then listen to your heart”
Welcome to our legendary historical rhododendron garden, flourishing for over 50 years! Founded and planted by Clarence and Elaine Barrett, beginning in 1972, this once expansive garden boasted over 1,300 rhododendrons and 600 species across 3 acres. Nelson Mountain Gardens is a testament to resilience and blooming beauty.
In the 1990s ,after he sold the property, a massive landslide decimated over half of the garden changing it forever. It became a wild garden with no one to maintain the blackberries and brambles. The garden survived on its own with impressive 15 – 20 feet tall and wide rhododendrons towering amongst the smaller but no less stunning rhododendrons. The remaining 1.5 approximate acres were choked by forest overgrowth. Some plants I didn't find for a few years.
In 1998 I moved to the property and acquired the the ornamental rhododendron garden lot in 2003. The unveiling began. A laborious and very satisfying endeavor to release the plants to more sunshine. Just this year, 2024, I uncovered a rhododendron engulfed by salmonberry bushes. Never have I seen flowers on it. Hopefully a little bit of sunshine, what every flower needs the thrive, will give it a new life! For me this is exciting. Any gardener will understand the feeling.
Clarence Barrett, the founder, understood needs for the rhododendrons. He passionately procured the plants, species and hybrids, from many of the members of the society as well as hybridizing his own. Published in the Journal of American Rhododendron Society 'Nelson Mountain: the Story of a Garden' , https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JARS/v45n2/v45n2-barrett.htm
details the true garden history, an interesting read for a rhododendron enthusiast. Included are many of the species and hybrids names. At that time, (1990's) he wrote that some of the plants were 30 years old. That would make them over 50 years today. We don't know which survived to this day after the environmental changes that took place. Clarence and Elaine Barrett moved to Eugene and by 1993 the property was logged, all but the rhododendron garden, thank goodness. Clarence wrote another article in the national magazine , of which he was a frequent contributor, 'Letting go, A Gardeners Goodbye'. https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JARS/v48n3/v48n3-barrett.htm
This ornamental garden longs for the attention it deserves. Every flower tells a story, every story survives its challenge, every challenge transforms the spirit. The enduring spirit of this garden is inspiring.
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Be your story, as this garden has, survive your challenges and bloom because of it, come to Nelson Mountain Garden to transform your spirit. Dare to bloom.
A Letter from the Rhododendrons
"Hello to All,
I'm the flowering spirits of the Rhododendron Garden at Nelson Mountain Gardens. Every spring I billow my flowers. Peacefully growing in this coastal forest I've been happy, but no longer. I want to show off. I am beautiful. I long to been seen and am restless for more companionship.
Growth is sprouting under the stillness of Nelson Mountain Gardens. The land is calling to be more than it is, dirt asking to be more than just soil and trees wanting more than seeking sunshine. Rocks are peeking from under the spiny brambles saying they can guide a seeker and will not hinder the path. Douglas firs are wanting to play and laugh, mostly at us silly humans. The creek is showing us the art of creating visions the easy way, 'Go with the Flow' they profess. Our sanctuary desires to create an ecology of beauty and sustainability and asks for our help to to fulfill the desire. It is time. The mountain is shouting to be more than it is,
I am Nelson Mountain Gardens, all who come to me shall find their own enduring spirit. Something wonderful will happen when you look.
With Love , Hope to see you soon!
The Rhody Spirits"​