Tsuru Island, Gresham's Japanese Garden

As I was leaving The Other Side Nursery, Nat mentioned I should check out the Japanese Garden at Main City Park, in Gresham. Since it was a beautiful afternoon and I've never explored Gresham (east-Portland metro area) off I went...
I definitely enjoyed my visit.
Protection from a grazing pest? (rabbits?) Human feet? 
Anti-theft?
I was afraid to reach in and look at the plant tag for fear I would set off some sort of alarm.
Lots to enjoy that wasn't caged.

I looked for a label on this rhododendron with tiny dark leaves, no luck.


My take away from the garden was this...
It's a magnolia, a very pruned magnolia, yet it's still blooming! Or rather, about to bloom.
Those cut tips suggest this plant undergoes a fairly rigorous cut-back annually, I need to know more! If I could grow another magnolia in my garden, but keep it small and still have it bloom, oh my! The possibilities!
Finally, in the parking lot there were masses of blooming Mahonia aquifolium, aka Oregon grape, with nicely colored up leaves. Such a common plant in these parts (it's our state plant/flower), but beautiful.