Where to See Rhododendrons in the Seattle Area

The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way is only a 30-minute drive south of the airport, but it feels a world apart. In this enchanting 22-acre woodland garden, you can walk through a forest of Douglas fir, western red cedar, and hemlock trees while admiring the world's largest collection of rhododendrons. While there, you'll enjoy other beautiful plants, such as Himalayan blue poppies, camellias, magnolias, Japanese maples, and many rare plants, many of which you can buy in the nursery.

This "living museum" is run by an internationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to conserving and sharing its collection with the public and the scientific community. It features many distinct sections, so in one afternoon, you can go from a warm conservatory filled with rare, tropical plants to a Victorian "Stumpery" where small rhodys and ferns spill over mossy stumps to a Magnolia Grove where huge, candy pink petals create a canopy overhead.

Plan Your Visit:

• General Admission is $10, with discounts for seniors and students. Children and veterans with ID are FREE.
• Visit Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Note: You can purchase many of the plants you see in the garden at the nursery.
• The garden typically hosts an annual Mother's Day Weekend event with food vendors and plants for sale. Check the website for details,

Where to See Rhododendrons in the Garden:

• Start at the Visitor Center, where you can pick up a map with a self-guided tour.
• The Rutherford Conservatory holds orchids, tropical rhododendrons, and other plants from across the globe. It's a warm, indoor destination great for all seasons (especially winter).
• The Upper Woodland Garden near the entrance features rhododendrons, magnolias, poppies, and other flowers flourishing amidst native cedar, hemlock, and Douglas fir trees.
• The Big-Leaf Rhododendron Garden boasts eye-catching rhododendron foliage (with leaves up to two feet long!) among native trees, ferns, and wildflowers.
• The Alpine Garden features small-leafed rhodys native to the mountains of Europe and Asia.
• The Stumpery is a particularly magical corner of the garden. What is a stumpery, you might ask? "An intentional arrangement of woody materials like stumps, old logs, and twisted root masses that creates an ideal habitat for ferns and other interesting plants."
• The Pond Garden is ringed with rhododendrons, Japanese maples, and wildflowers, where you can find irises, cattails, and other plants. In spring, it attracts many creatures, including herons, ducks, salamanders, and frogs.
• The gazebo on a high point near the garden's center is a great viewpoint with ample seating. It's surrounded by a particular type of rhododendron that is found naturally only at the peak of an ancient volcano in Japan. Visit in May to be surrounded by masses of white and pale pink flowers.
• The meadow is a sun-filled area with views of the surrounding garden.
• The Magnolia Grove features wild species of magnolia trees from the mountain forests of China and the Himalayas. In March, their branches boast huge pink and white flowers (up to ten inches across!) Rhododendrons and daffodils bloom at the ground beneath them, creating a stunning scene.

While You're There:

There's plenty more to see beyond rhododendrons:

• The Azalea Collection features azaleas (which are related to rhodys) that bloom just after the rhododendrons and can be seen through mid-summer.
• The Blue Poppy (Meconopsis) Meadow - Himalayan Blue Poppies are a "rare and exquisite plant with tall stems and true blue, paper-like petals appearing from mid-April to mid-June." The garden has an annual Blue Poppy Day festival, which includes an art market, food and plant sales.

What to Do & Eat Nearby

The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden is a 15-20 minute drive from Des Moines, a charming beach town that makes for a worthwhile stop on your way to or from the garden. Once there, you'll find plenty to see:

• Redondo Beach is home to a nice boardwalk, a small beach, and the MaST Center Aquarium, which is free and open to the public on weekly Discovery Days (Saturdays).
• Des Moines Beach Park has the best of both worlds: forest and sea. Walk along the Puget Sound waterfront, or take an urban hike along the Des Moines Creek Trail.
• In summer (and into early fall), the Des Moines Waterfront Market is a lovely place to spend a few hours.
• Some popular places to eat in Des Moines include Anthony's HomePort & Lower Deck, an elegant seafood restaurant overlooking the water, and via Marina Wood-Fired Pizza & Italian Cafe, a family-friendly pizza spot.