SPRING
Mid-March through Mid-May
The most iconic and colorful time of the year, spring is the season when the majority of our rhododendrons are in bloom. The garden will look different from week to week, with new rhododendrons and companion plants coming into flower almost daily.
In addition to rhododendrons, spring highlights include primroses, peonies, magnolias, lilies, and more. Beginning in April, the famous Himalayan Blue Poppy meadow will start to awaken. Be sure to join us for Blue Poppy Day , when we celebrate the natural beauty and talent in bloom in South Puget Sound with free admission, an art market, performances, food trucks, and more.
Wondering why RSBG rhododendrons bloom so early? Many species rhododendrons bloom earlier than most of the common hybrids that you are accustomed to seeing in residential gardens, which is why early spring is the ideal time to visit RSBG if you’re looking for peak bloom. Most rhododendrons occur naturally in high mountains – the mild, early springs of the Pacific Northwest bring many into flower well before most of us are even thinking about spring.
Popular spring plants include:
- Rhododendron schlippenbachii, the Royal Azalea (March/April)
- Arisaema sikokianum, Japanese Jack in the Pulpit (March/April)
- Matteuccia struthiopteris, the Ostrich Fern (March/April)
- Meconopsis, Himalayan Blue Poppies (April/May/June)
- Rhododendron huanum (April/May)
- Paeonia mairei (May)
- Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta (March)
- Primula denticulate, Drumstick Primrose (March)
- Rhododendron degronianum yakushimanum (May)
SUMMER
Mid-May through August
Summer is the season of Azaleas, part of the Rhododendron genus, which tend to bloom in late spring to mid-summer. It’s also an exciting time to visit the Victorian Stumpery, which is at its most lush and green with hostas, groundcovers, and fantastic ferns. Hydrangeas of all kinds brighten several areas of the garden and even adorn some of the trees, like the Climbing Hydrangeas that hug the trunks of some of our Douglas Firs. A visitor favorite, the 8-10 ft tall Giant Himalayan Lilies bloom in June with large, cream-colored fragrant flowers up to eight inches in length.
Our woodland setting provides the opportunity for a nice shady walk on hot days and visitors enjoy picnicking on our Terrace in summer.
Popular summer plants include:
- Cardiocrinum giganteum, Giant Himalayan Lily (June)
- Rhododendron glanduliferum, Fragrant Rhododendron (June-August)
- Rhododendron auriculatum, Fragrant Rhododendron (July/August)
- Podophyllum pleianthum, Asian May Apple (June/July)
- Lilium hansonii, Hanson’s Lilies (June/July)
- Stewartia pseudocamellia, Japanese Stewartia (June)
- Rhododendron occidentale, Western Azalea (June/July)
- Cornus kousa, Dogwood (May/June)
- Rhododendron dalhousiae rhabdotum (July)
FALL
September through November
Fall color abounds as our deciduous leaves transform into glowing golds, reds, and oranges. The woodland setting provides a backdrop for an array of brightly colored Japanese maples, deciduous azaleas and many other plants with colorful fall foliage making the RSBG one of the best and most beautiful places on the west coast to see autumn foliage.
As the rain returns, the garden is flush with vibrant mosses and colorful mushrooms that blanket logs and stumps throughout the garden.
Popular fall plants include:
- Acer griseum, Paperbark Maple (October/November)
- Oxydendron arboreum, Sourwood (October/November)
- Fothergilla major, Witch Alder (October/November)
- Acer palmatum, Japanese Maple (October/November)
- Polygonum vacciniifolium, Rock Knotweed (October/November)
- Viburnum plicatum, Double-file Viburnum (October/November)
- Acer rubrum, Red Maple (October/November)
- Franklinia alatamaha, Franklin Tree (October/November)
- Amelanchier laevis, Smooth Serviceberry (October/November)
WINTER
December through February
Even on misty or snowy days in winter, the garden is an accessible woodland retreat that features early blooming rhododendrons and companion plants, such as Hellebores and Winter Hazels. Winter is also a fantastic time to visit our Rutherford Conservatory, which is home to tropical rhododendrons known as vireyas that are native to Southeastern Asia, many of which bloom in January and February.
Rhododendrons are known for their beautiful and diverse foliage, which is often overlooked during spring and summer. Notable foliage features include colorful indumentum (furry undersides) ranging from paper white to rich copper, leaves as large as 18” in length, round leaves like those of Rhododendron orbiculare, and much more.
Popular winter plants include:
- Rhododendron mucronulatum
- Rhododendron protistum
- Rhododendron stenophyllum
- Rhododendron lanigerum
- Camellia grisjii
- Rhododendron dauricum
- Winter Heather
Hellebores