palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’ - Red Japanese Maple Halesia caroliniana var. monticola - Mountain Silverbell Ilex x altaclerensis camelliafolia - Camellia-leaved Highclere, Ilex crenata - Japanese Holly Metasequoia glyptostroboides - Dawn Redwood Parrotia persica - Persian Ironwood Prunus lusitanica - Portugal Cherry Prunus ‘Pandora’ - Pandora Cherry Prunus ‘Tai Haku’- Tai Haku Cherry Museum governance Lakewold is a non profit estate garden that is governed by a board of directors who are responsible for determining policy and procedures as well as providing oversight regarding the operation of Lakewold Gardens and the Wagner House. The staff includes 4-5 administrative personnel, 6 garden and facilities personnel, and several interns. Volunteers provide year-round assistance in many areas of garden management, including garden maintenance, leading tours, special events, mailings, and other projects. Programming Audience Lakewold seeks to reach a variety of people through its gardens, tours, and programming. Current attendance is approximately 2:1 female to male, the typical visitor is in their mid-forties to upper-sixties. Campaigns to increase audience diversity have led to greater attendance by families and military personnel. (Lakewold Gardens is near McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis (Joint Base Lewis-McChord). The busiest time of year at the garden is May, particularly around Mother's Day. Early spring flowers, fall color, and special events bring people in year-round. Events Lakewold Gardens has special events year-round, including: Music from Home MayFest FairyFest Discovery Walks with the Garden Manager Guest speakers Second City Chamber Concert Series Martha Stewart came to a breakfast and fashion show at Lakewold Gardens in 1997 as part of a fundraising event. Public Programs Classes are offered to the public in topics including: Garden Photography Organic Gardening Herb Gardens Stone Sculpture Basic Pruning Cutting Gardens In addition, group tours are available by reservation. See also List of botanical gardens in the United States References Lakewold: A Magnificent Northwest Garden, ed. Ronald Fields, Forward by Dan Hinkley, produced by Judy Wagner. 2011. Jardin Group publications. ISBN 0295991089 Sources Goodnow, Cecelia, "Step Back into a Gentler Time - A Stroll in a Garden Paradise is Followed By a Relaxing Victorian Luncheon," Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA)-April 24, 2008 Henry, Chris, "Escape to the Tacoma gardens where blue poppies bloom" Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, WA)-May 15, 1998 Van Pelt, Robert, Champion Trees of Washington State University of Washington Press (October 1996), External links Lakewold Gardens Lakewood, Washington Parks in Pierce County, Washington Gardens in Washington (state) Woodland gardens