Hulda Klager Lilac Garden

We drove up to Woodland, Washington (about 20 minutes up Interstate 5) last week to see the Hulda Klager Lilac Garden. Klager lived in this house from 1904-1960 where she propagated lilacs and developed fourteen varieties. You can read more about her and her family on the plaque below.





The house and grounds had a distinct Southern feel to it. The house is only open during Lilac Days (which ended on Mother's Day) and we were a day late. We did get to peek inside through the windows though and I would have liked to have taken the tour. Maybe next year...




Most of the lilacs were already spent with the exception of a few. There were other spring flowering shrubs, like rhododendrons and viburnums, that were spectacular.

Weigela and Rhododendron next to the barn

Rhododendron 'Blue Peter'

Another stunner that I did not get the name of

Popcorn Viburnum

Double-file Viburnum (Viburnum plicatum)

Exbury Azaleas

Wiegela

Azalea 'Tri-Lights'

There were also some magnificent trees on the property. This is a huge Japanese Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillata).

Variegated Box Elder (Acer negudo variegatum)

Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana)

A gigantic Monkey Puzzle Tree (Araucaria araucana)

The view from the front porch

I have been to Woodland many times to shop at Tsugawa Nursery but I had never been to the other side of the interstate where the downtown area is located. It is quite old-fashioned and very charming. I did not get any photos of the street or shops but we stopped at a monument with views of the river.

That is Interstate 5 in the distance.

The yellow-flowering shrub across the river is Scotch Broom. It is very invasive here and can be see all along the road sides.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy