We would like to share our go-to resources within the area. These are places we often visit, online references, and trips taken to learn more about plants. We recommend the following resources:
Websites AND APPS We Like
Great Plant Picks - for great plant selections appropriate for our growing area.
Missouri Botanical - for detailed botanical information on plant species.
Washington Wildflowers App - developed by the University of Washington, Burke Museum, for both iOS and Android devices. This is useful for plant identification while on hikes in Washington, with more than 1,000 species pictured, maps, and more.
Burke Herbarium Image Collection - This website has over 60,000 images and descriptions of both vascular plants, mushrooms and other fungi. Happy browsing!
Trees Pacific NW or Trees PNW App. This app is developed by Cliff Cantor, a Sammamish resident. It’s a good reference for tree identification while on hikes in our part of the world.
Washington Trails Association. The WTA begain in 1966 and has grown into a diverse community of hikers speaking out for trails and wildlands. They are a reliable resource for information regarding hikes in our area.
Washington Native Plant Society - Central Puget Sound Chapter. This website has information on all aspects of native plants in our area - for educational opportunities or to take action in our community. They have an excellent native plant list for referencing and discovery.
Puget Sound Public Gardens. This is a newly created website with beautiful scenes of gardens in our area. Check out how many you’ve visited, and add some destinations to your list.
Social Media
The SBGS now has a Facebook page and is on Instagram. Join us for conversations, volunteer opportunities and garden events.
In addition, here are some more local garden Facebook pages:
Local Gardens
Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main Street, Bellevue, WA - For long walks in a quiet setting in the heart of Bellevue. A good selection of curated plants and various gardens. Stop by the coffee shop and the Trillium Gift Store.
Dunn Gardens, 13533 Northshore Road NW, Seattle, WA. - a beautiful old garden started in 1915, designed by the Olmsted Brothers. The spring display of Erythronium revolutum (Fawn Lily) is outstanding.
Elizabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden, Seattle, WA - limited availability to visit, but worth the effort. This was Betty Miller’s private residence, an avid plant collector and designer. She was a leader in establishing the Center for Urban Horticulture.
Powellswood, 430 S. Dash Point Road, Federal Way, WA - a wonderful restored 40-acre property created in 1993, previously a logged, unhealthy landscape. The transformation is amazing.
Washington Park Arboretum, 2300 Arboretum Drive E, Seattle, WA - a botanical garden for long walks near the University of Washington, designed for delight in all seasons. Enjoy the Japanese gardens. Learn more about plants around the Pacific Rim.
Heronswood, 7530 NE 288th Street, Kingston, WA - a “resurrected” garden on the Kitsap Peninsula, brought back to its former glory by the Port Gamble S’Klallam NW Native American tribe. This property was originally owned by Dan Hinkley and Robert Jones.
Bloedel Reserve, 7571 Dolphin Drive, Bainbridge Island, WA - An exceptional garden of 80 acres with many gardens contained within. Don’t miss the Moss Garden, something to appreciate in our Northwest climate.
Lakewold Gardens. This is a 10 acre estate garden donated by Eulalie Wagner to a nonprofit organization which now maintains the property. There are many tree specimens grown here that are on the list of Champion Trees of Washington State. Be sure to admire the Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) located in the back lawn.
Rhododendron Species and Botanical Garden, 2525 S 336th St, Federal Way, WA. This nonprofit garden of 22 acres has not only the world’s largest collection of public garden rhododendrons but many other species as well. For more tender plants, you’ll find a beautiful conservatory. And don’t forget to check out the on-site nursery for plant purchases.
Lake Wilderness Arboretum, 22520 SE 248th in Maple Valley, WA. This arboretum is part of the Maple Valley park system, with free parking and no admission. Enjoy 5 acres of gardens and over 30 acres of trails with a story walk and many activities during the year.
For further exploration, we recommend the book The Pacific Northwest Garden Tour, by Donald Olson.
Societies & Garden Clubs
Northwest Perennial Alliance - This is an organization for all interested gardeners. Members are able to tour private gardens throughout the area with the Open Gardens offerings from May through September each year. The NPA also developed and maintains the renowned perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden, as well as sponsoring educational opportunities.
Northwest Horticultural Society - This organization provides inspiration and education to the Northwest gardening community through an ongoing series of webinars, lectures, symposiums, workshops and classes.
Washington Native Plant Society, Central Puget Sound Chapter - Learn more about the growing interest in increasing the native plants in our area, in public spaces and in private gardens.
Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs - Many local garden clubs (including the list below) are part of a state-wide and national group of gardeners. Join a club today to gain knowledge and meet other avid gardeners!