Portland, Ore. – For the first time in its 43-year history, The Japanese Garden of Portland, Oregon will host a special exhibition of the Weyerhaeuser Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection, October 6 through November 15, 2006, called 'Autumn Leaves.' This world-renowned collection of living art features bonsai from Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the United States. Admission to 'Autumn Leaves' is free with the $8 admission to The Japanese Garden.

'We are honored that Weyerhaeuser selected The Japanese Garden to be a temporary home for what is arguably the most important and best maintained bonsai collection in North America,' said Steve Bloom, executive director of The Japanese Garden. 'This exhibit will be unlike any others we have hosted in the history of our garden.'

'Autumn Leaves' is sponsored by David Evans and Associates, an Oregon-based engineering firm. The exhibition and all related events are being managed in collaboration with The Bonsai Society of Portland.

Located within Washington Park in Portland, Oregon's west hills, The Japanese Garden of Portland is a private 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that operates year-round through gate admissions, membership dues and special donations. In a recent survey conducted by Roth's Journal of Japanese Gardening it was named as the number one example of a Japanese Garden and among the finest outside of Japan. More than 300 gardens throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia were on the selection list.

While 'Autumn Leaves' is being exhibited, The Japanese Garden is pleased to collaborate with the Portland Children's Museum, which will be hosting 'Five Friends from Japan' an interactive traveling exhibit that introduces visitors to Japanese culture from October 6, 2006 through January 15, 2007. In celebration of both Japanese cultural exhibits, the two organizations have arranged a reciprocal discount for their members. From October 6 through November 15, 2006, members of Portland Children's Museum may show their membership card at The Japanese Garden and receive a free child's admission (ages 5 and up) for each paying adult. The Japanese Garden members will receive the same benefit upon showing their membership card at Portland Children's Museum.