Collections
An Assortment of Color and Texture
Rhododendrons
The backbone of Lakewold’s plant collection is the Rhododendron. Nearly 800 Rhodies make their home at Lakewold. From tiny species rhododendrons to giant hybrids of yesterday, Lakewold’s Rhody Collection is sure to captivate the visitor with heady fragrances, masses of color, and sheer volume. Viewing is best done March through May.
Japanese Maples
From the beautiful peeling bark of the Paper Bark Maple, Acer grisium, to their unrivalled fall color, the Japanese maple has become a quintessential northwest garden plant. Lakewold has 30 Japanese maples to view, including two state champions, but it’s our prized beauty Acer ‘Shindeshojo’ that gets all the attention. To see the ‘Shindeshojo’ at its peak you will need to come early spring, as its beauty is only ephemeral.
Champion Trees of Washington State
A champion tree is the largest known example of its kind, representing the maximum growth of a species. The Washington State Big Tree Program has registered over 1,000 trees belonging to over 800 species and cultivated varieties that are the largest in the state. This program is very important as it recognizes, documents, and helps preserve these majestic examples of biological maturity.
Current Champion Trees at Lakewold
- Acer palmatum - Japanese Maple located near the Dog Path
- Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’ - Red Japanese Maple located on Circle Drive
- Halesia caroliniana var. monticola - Mountain Silverbell located by the teahouse
- Ilex crenata - Japanese Holly located in the Woodland Garden
- Metasequoia glyptostroboides - Dawn Redwood located in the back lawn
- Parrotia persica - Persian Ironwood located in the Woodland Garden
- Prunus lusitanica - Portugal Cherry
- Prunus ‘Pandora’ - Pandora Cherry located behind the Shade Garden
Source: Robert Van Pelt, Champion Trees of Washington State (U.S. of America: University of Washington Press, 1996.
Lakewold Gardens | 12317 Gravelly Lake Drive Southwest, Lakewood, WA 98499
Mailing Address | Post Office Box 39780, Lakewood, WA 98496
Phone | 253-584-4106
Email | contactus@lakewoldgardens.org
Spring/Summer/Fall Hours | 10 am to 5 pm Wed - Sun
Winter Hours (Nov - Mar) | 10 am to 4 pm Fri - Sat
This page is made possible, in part, by a City of Lakewood Lodging Tax Grant.