Seattle, a city renowned for its lush greenery and picturesque landscapes, offers a myriad of botanical gardens for visitors and locals alike to explore and appreciate. As a thriving urban jungle, Seattle is home to a variety of stunning gardens showcasing diverse horticultural collections and intricate landscape designs. In this article, we will take you on a tour through some of the most breathtaking botanical gardens found in the Emerald City.
The Washington Park Arboretum, a joint venture between the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and the City of Seattle, is a 230-acre oasis located on the shores of Lake Washington. Here, you’ll discover a living collection of vibrant and unique plant species native to the Northwest. Another gem in Seattle’s crown is the Seattle Japanese Garden, which offers a tranquil, serene atmosphere that invites contemplation and relaxation amid its carefully designed landscapes.
Aside from these two well-known havens, Seattle also hosts the Kubota Garden, Bellevue Botanical Garden, and the Volunteer Park Conservatory, among others, each offering its own distinct characteristics and charm. Whether you’re a seasoned horticulturist, a nature enthusiast or just looking for a peaceful retreat from city life, Seattle’s botanical gardens provide ample opportunity to connect with nature, learn about diverse plant species and immerse yourself in a world of verdant beauty.
Seattle Botanical Gardens Overview
Washington Park Arboretum
The Washington Park Arboretum, co-managed by the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and Seattle Parks and Recreation, is a beautiful 230-acre park featuring a vast array of plant collections and manicured pathways. Known as an essential part of the Emerald City, it attracts visitors throughout the year, offering various educational programs and events.
Seattle Japanese Garden
The Seattle Japanese Garden, located within the Washington Park Arboretum, is a 3.5-acre garden designed and built in 1960. This harmonious landscape showcases traditional Japanese garden elements and offers seasonal events, teahouse ceremonies, and guided tours.
Woodland Park Rose Garden
The Woodland Park Rose Garden in Seattle is a 2.5-acre garden boasting a stunning collection of over 200 rose varieties. The enchanting garden and its picturesque pergola make this location an ideal spot for photography and special events.
Bellevue Botanical Garden
Just east of Seattle, the Bellevue Botanical Garden spans 53 acres of cultivated gardens, woodlands, and wetlands. The garden showcases numerous plant collections, artwork, and offers a wide range of educational programs for all ages.
Kubota Garden
Kubota Garden, a 20-acre Japanese garden designed by Fujitaro Kubota, is a hidden gem in Seattle. This public park features streams, waterfalls, ponds, and a diverse blend of Japanese and Pacific Northwest native plants, creating a stunning visual experience for visitors.
Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden
Home to over 500 different plant species and more than 1,500 varieties, the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden is a gorgeous Seattle location to unwind and enjoy nature. Free guided tours are available at 1 pm and 3 pm daily, making it an excellent visit in 2023.
Kruckeberg Botanic Garden
The Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, situated in Shoreline, Washington, is a 4-acre garden featuring over 2,000 species of Pacific Northwest plants. This public garden offers educational programs, plant sales, and guided tours by appointment.
Volunteer Park Conservatory
The Volunteer Park Conservatory, located within the 48-acre Volunteer Park, is a beautiful and historic glasshouse offering visitors a chance to explore a stunning variety of plants in five different house sections, including bromeliads, palms, ferns, cacti, and seasonal displays.
Parsons Gardens
Parsons Gardens, a secluded and intimate park in Seattle, was designed by the Olmsted Brothers in 1915. This botanical garden is accessible to members or through private tours, making it a unique and exclusive experience.
Dunn Gardens
Dunn Gardens, another Olmsted Brothers-designed garden, is a 7.5-acre woodland in Seattle. It features a diverse array of plants, beautiful pathways, and guided tours showcasing the Dunn family’s legacy on the landscape.
Garden Features and Activities
Paths and Trails
Seattle’s botanical gardens offer many paths and trails for visitors to explore. Some popular options include the Arboretum Loop in the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, which presents a 2.5-mile route that winds through wetlands, meadows, and forests.
The Pacific Connections Garden features a 1-mile scenic path, showcasing plants from the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Another popular destination is the Japanese Garden, with its carefully designed and well-maintained strolling paths, offering serene settings for reflection and relaxation.
Nature and Wildlife
The diverse ecosystems of Seattle’s botanical gardens attract a wide range of plant life and wildlife. In the wetlands and meadows of the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, visitors can witness native vegetation like rhododendrons and magnolias. Volunteer Park Conservatory, nestled in Capitol Hill, exhibits a variety of exotic plants under its Victorian-style glass roof.
The Ballard Locks area is home to the Carl S. English Botanical Garden, boasting over 500 different species and 1500 plant varieties, providing habitat for local birds and butterflies.
Garden Tours and Tram Tours
Several Seattle gardens offer guided garden and tram tours for visitors to deepen their understanding of these botanical wonders. For instance, the University of Washington Botanic Gardens provides free guided tours at 1 pm and 3 pm daily. The Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island offers seasonal tram tours, welcoming guests to immerse themselves in the landscape while learning about its history and plant collections.
Meanwhile, the Rose Test Gardens in South Seattle College invite visitors to join docent-led tours that explore the intricacies of rose cultivation.
Classes and Workshops
Many of Seattle’s botanical gardens not only serve as natural showcases but also host classes and workshops to promote learning and engagement among visitors. The University of Washington Botanic Gardens, in partnership with the Arboretum Foundation, offers various educational programs catering to youth and adults alike.
Programs at the Gardens range from horticulture and ecology courses to botanical art and photography sessions. The Kruckeberg Botanic Garden also hosts workshops that teach essential gardening skills and the importance of conserving native plant species.
In addition to their picturesque landscapes, Seattle’s botanical gardens foster opportunities for visitors to explore and learn about the natural world through engaging paths, trails, tours, and educational programs.
Visitors’ Information
Graham Visitors Center
The Graham Visitors Center is located at the University of Washington Botanic Gardens. The center is open for limited hours, offering informative resources and services to visitors. The main gardens address is 2300 Arboretum Drive E, Seattle, WA 98112. For any inquiries, you can reach them at 206-543-8800.
Restrooms and Drinking Fountains
Restrooms and drinking fountains are available in different locations across the gardens. To ensure the wellbeing and enjoyment of all visitors, it is recommended to make use of these facilities when needed.
Park Accessibility
The botanical gardens in Seattle are accessible to everyone, with various amenities like:
- Well-maintained hiking trails for nature enthusiasts
- Guided tours for those wanting to learn more about the gardens and their history
- Private tours at some gardens, such as the ones designed by the Olmsted Brothers in 1915
Among the must-see gardens in Seattle is the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden. This beautiful space offers a wide variety of plants and flowers to admire, along with other outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy. Keep in mind that some gardens might require membership, additional fees, or pre-booking to access.
When planning your visit, make sure to check each garden’s website for specific hours of operation and additional information.
History and Significance
Olmsted Brothers Legacy
The Seattle area’s botanical gardens are rich in history and significance, some dating back to the early 20th century. A notable example is Washington Park Arboretum, which was founded in 1934 and designed by the renowned Olmsted Brothers, who were responsible for some of the most iconic landscapes in the United States. Their design philosophy emphasized the use of native plants and the preservation of natural landscapes.
Notable Gardens and Designers
A variety of gardens contribute to the region’s botanical heritage. Some of the most notable ones include:
- Woodland Park Rose Garden: Established in 1924, this 2.5-acre public space features 200 varieties of roses and over 3,000 individual plants, demonstrating the adaptability of roses in Pacific Northwest climates.
- Bellevue Botanical Garden: Covering 53 acres, it showcases diverse horticultural elements such as native plants, endangered species, demonstration gardens, and outdoor sculpture installations.
- Kubota Garden: A 20-acre landscape blending traditional Japanese garden design with native Northwest plants, created by Fujitaro Kubota, a Japanese immigrant who began working on the garden in 1927.
- Kruckeberg Botanic Garden: This four-acre garden, located north of Seattle, was founded by Dr. Arthur Kruckeberg and his wife, Mareen in 1958, and contains a unique blend of native plants and unusual species collected from around the world.
- Pacific Connections Garden: Part of the Washington Park Arboretum, it showcases plants from five Pacific Rim regions including New Zealand, Australia, China, Chile, and the western United States.
The Seattle area is also home to smaller, lesser-known gardens, such as Streissguth Gardens, Parsons Gardens, and Dunn Gardens, each with its unique history and design.
Geographic Reach
Seattle’s botanical gardens extend beyond the city’s borders, engaging with the wider region:
- Bloedel Reserve (Bainbridge Island): A 150-acre forest and garden reserve, created by Virginia and Prentice Bloedel, showcasing their passion for the connection between people and nature.
- Rose Test Gardens: Located in Portland, Oregon, this garden serves as a trial ground for new rose varieties and sets the standards for international rose specimens.
These gardens, along with the rest of Seattle’s botanical gems, play a crucial role in preserving plant diversity, inspiring landscape design, and promoting ecological awareness among visitors.
