Having just visited the Japanese Gardens in Kaiserslautern, I had been told the Portland Gardens were among the best in the United States, and I found myself sorely disappointed. The gardens were nice enough, but not nearly at the level of the German ones. I went the day before they shut down to be re-developed. I'm optimistic that when they reopen, they'll be better. Be prepared for a pretty good hike from the parking lot. It's a very steep hill (there is handicap parking at the top of the hill for those requiring accessible access).