Welcome to Lendonwood Gardens, a three-acre botanical garden near Grand Lake O' the Cherokees in northeastern Oklahoma. We hope you enjoy our web site, but that you will plan a visit - in person - to see one of the finest small botanical gardens in the four-state area. In preparation for your visit, the following information provides an overview of Lendonwood Gardens' history, horticultural collections, and other highlights.

The Gardens became a non-profit corporation, Lendonwood Gardens, Inc., in January 1997, when Dr. Miller donated the property for operation by the corporation. According to the by-laws, the purpose of the corporation is to:

Membership in Lendonwood Gardens is open to all persons. Leadership and oversight for Lendonwood is provided by a Board of Directors, whose officers in 2007 include:

In 2000, Dr. Miller and volunteers created a new focal point for the Gardens by building the Japanese Pavilion, which overlooks a scenic pond with hundreds of koi. The design of the Pavilion was based on a Japanese pavilion built for the purpose of viewing surrounding lands. For more information about the Japanese pavilion, see below.

In December 2001, Lendonwood Gardens, Inc., purchased adjacent land and property from Dr. Miller to enhance the Gardens' plantings and educational services. The five-acre property, which included Dr. Miller's former home and surrounding gardens, eventually may be used to help resolve some parking and visibility issues and allow room for significantly expanded garden space.

Also, located in this area of the Gardens is the Angel of Hope statue, which was placed here to commemorate lost loved ones, especially children. An annual memorial service is held at the statue on December 6. For more information about the Angel of Hope, see below.

At Lendonwood Gardens, visitors will find several major collections of plants. Lendonwood is home to one of the largest collections of Chamaecyparis (false cypress) in the United States, totaling more than 80 varieties. Similar to red cedar, the evergreen Chamaecyparis is native to Japan, Taiwan, Canada and the U.S. In addition, Lendonwood has one of the largest collections of rhododendrons in the region, totaling about 250 varieties, adding drama and color in April and May each year. In recognition of Dr. Miller's expertise and interest in this spring-flowering shrub, he was elected president of the American Rhododendron Society for 2006-07.

In addition, the Gardens include 25 varieties of dogwoods, about 50 bonsai, 75 varieties of Japanese maples, and 125 varieties of hostas. With more than 500 varieties of daylilies, Lendonwood has been designated a display garden for the American Hemerocallis (daylily) Society. In addition, the Gardens are home to about 200 varieties of conifers and 25 varieties of viburnums.

Next on the tour is the Oriental Garden, which focuses attention on plants that thrive in the shade. The majority of the dogwoods are here, as well as hostas, rhododendrons and viburnums. At the end of this garden is a 150-foot stream consisting of nine pools of water, each emptying into another.

The Japanese Pavilion and Koi Pond Garden are next on the tour. The Pavilion is patterned after a Japanese viewing pavilion. You will find fewer flowers and more texture in this section, which is typical of Japanese garden design.

Near the back of Lendonwood is the English Terrace Garden, planted with numerous rhodododendrons. Most of the world authorities on this spectacular flowering plant are in England. The design of the plantings in this area is more formal and allows more sunlight than other parts of Lendonwood.

Nearby is the American Backyard Xeriscape Garden, where plants thrive without much watering. In summer, the American Backyard displays many colorful annuals, such as zinnias and marigolds.

The Pavilion's floors are made from cypress, making them resistant to rain damage. The 3x6-foot sections that form a herringbone pattern are called "tatami," another word for a straw mat on which to sit or sleep. In Japanese homes, two of these spaces would designate a futon-sized sleeping area for two people, or in the daytime, a space used for two people to sit and talk.

The structure's cypress floors are supported by a treated pine truss floor over a one-foot center. The building utilizes post-and-beam construction with red cedar posts set in concrete and fitted into grooves cut into the beams. The structure is strengthened by decorative, yet functional, mortise-and-tenon redwood panels. The furniture was hand-made from rough-hewn western red cedar that was planed and sanded.

Artifacts in the Pavilion include a bell, iron candle lamps, and an antique charcoal-burning tea maker, which was used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. Lathe work on the roof gable serves to ventilate the roof. On the outside is a chrysanthemum plaque with 17 petals that was hand-carved by Dr. Miller from red cedar.

The Japanese Pavilion was dedicated and opened to the public on May 7, 2000. Many members of the community joined in celebrating this beautiful addition to Lendonwood Gardens.

ANGEL OF HOPE STATUE. In April 2004, a bronze statue of an angel was dedicated in memory of lost loved ones, especially children. Inspired by the national bestseller novel, "The Christmas Box," by Richard Paul Evans, the statue and serenity garden are intended to bring peace and comfort to those who have lost a child or loved one. The author of the bestseller attended the dedication of the sculpture at Lendonwood. Bricks surrounding the sculpture were donated in the names of friends and family who have passed away. Located on the west side of Lendonwood, the statue's setting offers a serene place where families and friends can spend quiet moments of remembrance.

On December 6 of each year, a special observance is held at the Angel of Hope statue. The candlelight ceremony, beginning at 7 p.m., helps commemorate loved ones who have died. The public is invited to participate.