Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Tacoma, WA
The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Tacoma, Washington, is one of the world’s largest and most diverse collections of rhododendrons. It has more than 10,000 specimens that are arranged in a way that will allow visitors to experience their beauty through three distinct plant zones:
- Forested areas with native plants
- Arid-adapted species from high elevations in South America, Africa, and Asia
- Excellent temperate shrubs
The garden also includes an extensive collection of azaleas, smaller groupings of other types of flowering plants such as primroses, wildflowers, and ferns, plus formal gardens for weddings or special events.
In its forested areas, you will find more than 500 different Rhododendron species and cultivars that bloom in every color imaginable between March and October each year. In addition to these astounding numbers, there are many other exciting plant collections throughout the gardens, including North America’s most extensive collection of deciduous azaleas; one of five National Collections for nerines (nerines); a national collection of trilliums; native rhododendrons from around the world; an alpine rock garden containing rare breeds such as rhododendron pemakoense, rhododendron konori var. argenteum, rhododendron atrovirens, rhododendron Yunnanese; and many more interesting plants, including the one-of-a-kind “Giant Rhododendron” which is 60 feet tall!
About the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden
The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Tacoma, WA, consists of hundreds of rare species and varieties. The garden holds the most significant number of flower species with over 600 different rhododendrons, including many hybrids.
What is there to see?
Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Tacoma, WA, collects more than 10,000 different types of rhododendrons. In the garden, you will find many large blooming trees and bushes, including species that can reach ten feet tall. There are over three hundred different varieties native to the Northwest alone, making this place unique for Washington State. Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden has been recognized as an All American Rose selection test site by the AARS (All America Selections). The gardens were founded on thirty acres donated by Wilbur Gould, who traveled around Asia collecting seeds from more than 300 taxa of these beautiful flowers. An additional 18 acres was later added, extending along both sides of Puyallup’s Stemilt Creek.
Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Tacoma, WA, has over seven miles of trails for visitors, which feature many different types of elevations and terrain that support more than 20% percent of all known Northwest native plants like huckleberries, salmonberry, salal, red osier dogwood trees, etc.
There are various activities available inside Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Tacoma, WA, such as walking tours, educational programs, and nature walks through the 80-acre rhododendron garden featuring more than 5000 different types of plants from around the world. Visitors can also take a tour into their archival library containing over 5000 books related to botany, including several rare texts, or visit their native plant collection featuring plants found throughout Washington State.
What is there to do?
Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Tacoma, WA, offers over 80 acres of walking trails to explore these beautiful flowers, along with an archival library containing thousands of books related to botany, including several rare texts. Visitors can also enjoy the garden’s 20-acre Arboretum filled with more than 1500 different types of rhododendrons, visit their native plant collection featuring plants found throughout Washington State or join one of their educational programs held between May and August when the blooms are at peak beauty or other months for nature walks led by trained naturalists through meadows and forests inhabited by many species of wildlife.
What is the best time of year to visit?
Visitors should note that there are no services at this garden, and only walking tours are allowed inside the parks. The best time for visiting Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Tacoma, WA, is between May and August when the flowers bloom. In addition to exploring these beautiful blooms, visitors will find a great deal of history about rhododendrons from around the world, along with educational programs available during all seasons except the winter season, November – February.
When was this place built?
Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Tacoma, Washington, was established as Pierce County Arboretum in 1967. Its first rhododendrons were planted as a gift from Tacoma Garden Club to the city of Tacoma. In 1978, the Arboretum was renamed Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, which now contains more than 1500 types of rhododendrons originating from all over the world, including Asia and South America to North American species found mainly along Puget Sound lowlands throughout Washington State.
What is there for children?
In addition to exploring beautiful flowers during the blooming season, May-August visitors will find many activities for families at Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Tacoma, WA, with camping facilities available year-round except winter months November – February along trails winding through meadows and forests inhabited by various species of wildlife where one may spot deer, elk, eagles and many other species of birds, reptiles and small mammals.
Is there food available here?
Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden has no onsite café. Still, visitors are welcome to bring their food to picnic on the grounds, along with a few options for snacks and drinks available inside the garden’s gift shop.
Activities in Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden
The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden is home to several rhododendrons, azaleas, and companion plants native to the Pacific Northwest. The garden displays over 600 varieties of these evergreen shrubs throughout its eight acres. Visitors can enjoy browsing through cultivated blooming specimens and extensive collections of species, subspecies, and hybrids in habitat settings.
The garden features a visitor center with restrooms, a gift shop, and a cafe serving lunch items and beverages from March through October each year. Throughout the growing season, there are also special events, such as plant sales, concerts, or lectures held on weekends or weekdays; please check their website for event details before planning your visit to avoid disappointment. All visitors should bring insect repellent if they run into any pesky mosquitos during your trip because they tend to make an occasional appearance even in the Pacific Northwest.
Other attractions include a historical museum with an extensive collection of tools used by Chinese immigrant loggers who helped build Tacoma neighborhoods before World War I; historic buildings including the Azalea Way Bridge made for construction workers during the development of this area near downtown Tacoma; tea house/venue space available for weddings or other special events open May-September; cultural center operated by Tacoma Public Library with rotating exhibits on history, nature and culture of the Northwest; gift shop.
One of the most popular activities in Tacoma Rhododendron Garden is theater shows about rhododendrons, educational lectures for children and adults that focus on various topics connected with gardening and plant life of the Western Washington State region. Visitors can also plant seeds, buy fresh flowers and souvenirs at the garden’s gift shop.
If you’re looking for a House Cleaning in Tacoma, you can book with us!
Next Thing To Do In Tacoma:
