Leach Botanical Garden, Portland, OR 97236

The Garden opened to the public in 1983 as a partnership between Leach Garden Friends and Portland Parks & Recreation. The core of our landmark Garden is the estate of John and Lilla Leach, who went on botanical expeditions and,in the 1930s, built the Manor House and began the gardens that bear their name. They left the beautiful grounds, buildings and more than 2,000 species of plants to the City of Portland. The Friends group formed as a non-profit in 1981 and since that time has anchored daily operations with a large active volunteer group and a small staff. As a result of their efforts, the Garden continues as a place of respite in the urban landscape. The Leach story---their pioneer roots, expeditionary adventures, scientific and artistic pursuits, botanical interests, whimsy, affection and humor—continues to inform our work. In partnership with other organizations, we offer practical instruction in a variety of garden-related topics. Children and adults pursue learning in the Garden
through educational offerings ranging from botany to geology, from painting to illustration, from discovery to deduction. Today the Garden has grown to nearly seventeen acres. A Master Plan approved in 2010 provides direction for new facilities, botanical interpretations, and spaces for community activity. We look forward to sharing the secrets of Leach Botanical Garden with you.Before the 1800s, native people hunted, fished, and camped along Johnson Creek. In the second half of the 19th century, the property was part of the 320-acre donation land claim belonging to Jacob Johnson. Johnson operated a sawmill furnishing lumber for the very early homes in Portland. Johnson's land extended north from Mt. Scott down across the creek that was later named for him. During the 1920s a house stood on the property which was reportedly a pig farm. In 1931, John and Lilla Leach purchased the 4.5 acres and named it Sleepy Hollow. John, a pharmacist, and Lilla, an accomplished botanist, devoted their land to their
fascination with plants. The story of John and Lilla Leach is a compelling one – one linked with early Oregon history, science (Lilla the botanist), business/commerce (John the druggist), civic-minded citizens (YMCA & Rose Festival, Leach Garden as botanical park), writers (both Lilla & John), humorist  and historian (John) and an inspiring love story. Leach Garden. Friends maintains and enhances Leach Botanical Garden's living collections of plants for the purposes of education, research and conservation and preserves the legacy of the Garden’s founders, John and Lilla Leach