In Full Bloom

Where to See Rhododendrons in the Seattle Area

Some of the best places to see rhododendrons are in or near Seattle Southside.

Come spring, these vibrant, eye-catching flowers are in full bloom at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way and the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden in SeaTac. You could fill a whole day admiring them, as there are hundreds of species (including the Pacific Rhododendron, Washington's state flower), and they come in a rainbow of colors, including dark pink, white, lavender, white, blue, and even yellow.

The Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden
The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden

When do rhododendrons bloom?

Rhododendrons bloom between mid-March and mid-May, though the exact peak times vary by year and by species. At this time, you'll also see an array of other spring flowers at gardens in Seattle Southside, including spring bulbs, perennials, budding ferns, and blooming trees (including our favorite, cherry trees)!

The Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden

Just a stone's throw from SEA airport, the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is a gem within Seattle Southside. This serene urban oasis is free and open to the public daily from dawn to dusk (except federal holidays). Sitting on roughly eleven acres, it encompasses nine thoughtfully curated gardens, with accessible walking paths, tranquil ponds and streams, and plenty of places to sit and take in the natural beauty.

One of the newest sections is the Hicks Rhododendron & Azalea Garden. The stunning collection of flowers was donated by local Bill Hicks on his 90th birthday, which he celebrated in the garden along with a crowd of supporters. He wanted a final resting place for his collection and felt the garden would be perfect. It's located next to the Seike Japanese Garden, one of the original gardens on the site, and makes for a gorgeous site during peak bloom season.

The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden

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 Groce where huge, candy pink petals create a canopy overhead.

Rhodedendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way Washington
The Rhodedendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way, Washington.

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.

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.
The Rhodedendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way, Washington.
The Rhodedendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way, Washington.

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Author

Kristina Thorne