Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden — Attraction in Federal Way

No flowers now.. april is good time Here is detailed information for a visitor to the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden:

Directions Location: 2525 S 336th St, Federal Way, WA 98003, USA From Seattle: Take I-5 South. Exit at 142B for WA-18 West. Turn right onto WA-161/Enchanted Parkway South. Turn left onto South 336th Street. The garden is located adjacent to the Pacific Bonsai Museum. From Tacoma: Take I-5 North. Exit at 142B for WA-18 West. Turn right onto WA-161/Enchanted Parkway South. Turn left onto South 336th Street. The garden is located next to the Pacific Bonsai Museum. Parking: Free parking is available on-site.

Fees Admission: Adults: $8.00 Seniors (65+): $5.00 Students (with ID): $5.00 Children under 12: Free Membership: Annual memberships are available, offering benefits such as free admission, discounts on plants and events, and more.

Restrooms Restrooms are available at the entrance of the garden. Accessible restrooms are also provided.

Operating Hours Regular Hours: Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Closed: Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Best Time to Visit: April to May for peak bloom season.

Annual Events Spring Plant Sale: Held in April, featuring a wide variety of rhododendrons and companion plants for sale. Proceeds support the garden’s maintenance and conservation efforts. Fall Foliage Festival: Usually held in October, this event showcases the garden’s stunning autumn colors, with special tours and educational talks. Guided Garden Tours: Available on select days, offering in-depth knowledge about the plants and the garden’s history.

Garden Highlights Rhododendron Collection: One of the largest collections of species rhododendrons in the world, featuring over 700 species. Includes plants from North America, Europe, and Asia, with many rare and endangered species. Woodland Garden: A naturalistic area with shade-loving plants, ferns, and understory shrubs, providing a serene, forest-like atmosphere. Pond and Fern Stumpery: A beautiful pond area surrounded by ferns and rhododendrons, with a "stumpery" featuring artistically arranged tree stumps and roots. Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection: Located within the garden, this area showcases bonsai trees from across the Pacific Rim, blending bonsai art with the natural beauty of rhododendrons. Meadow and Rock Garden: Features drought-tolerant plants and alpine species, offering a contrast to the lush woodland areas.

Visitor Tips Photography: Photography is allowed, and the garden’s colorful displays make it a popular spot for nature and flower photography. Guided Tours: Guided tours can be arranged in advance for groups; self-guided tours are encouraged with maps available at the entrance. Accessibility: The garden is mostly wheelchair accessible, with paved and gravel paths throughout. Picnic Area: A small picnic area is available near the entrance, making it a great spot to enjoy a meal surrounded by nature. Gift Shop: The garden’s gift shop offers a variety of plant-related items, including rhododendron plants, books, and garden tools.

Seasonal Considerations Spring: Peak bloom season for rhododendrons, with vibrant colors and a wide variety of species in full display. Summer: The garden remains lush, with many companion plants and late-blooming rhododendrons adding interest. Fall: Autumn brings beautiful foliage, particularly in the woodland garden, making it a scenic time to visit. Winter: A quieter time to visit, with the garden’s structure and evergreen species offering a serene experience.

Educational Opportunities Workshops and Classes: The garden offers various educational programs, including workshops on rhododendron care, propagation, and...

It's the world's largest collection of rhodies. It has a conservatory with tropical species. There are some nice outdoor chairs and side tables if you want to picnic. There is a nice pagoda, a pond with ducks, a Fern Collection, a stump garden -- lots of interesting details. The lady running the gift shop is super-knowledgeable about the collection. There are also plants for sale. The collection is truly spectacular, with some plants 100-feet tall. I hope that we can go again this year during the peak bloom season, mid-March to mid-May

We had one day for the Bonsai Museum and another for the Rhodie Garden. Each actually takes one- to two-hours to enjoy, but then you could go to Ikea or the Premium Outlet Mall in Auburn or another...

Friendly staff, nice walking trails, plants blooming over multiple seasons. Credit cards only. Nice little gift shop, plants for sale, and a public restroom, and free parking. The trails are a little difficult to follow at times but there are a lot of loops so you can't get too lost. Hundreds of plants bloom during different seasons so usually there will be plants in bloom most of the year. Also has an encloses greenhouse with some tropical plants. Lots of birds and bees flying around. You get a lot ofnoisee from the nearby freeways. Overall, it was a great place to visit and takes around one to two hours to...