The mystical Himalayan blue poppy, Meconopsis, will grace us with its ethereal beauty once again at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden. Come celebrate these fabulous flowers Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and enjoy a feast for your eyes. Walk through a meadow glowing with blooming blue poppies or stroll along the ADA accessible path through the blue poppy glade. The RSBG nursery will be stocked with a stunning selection of plants for sale, including Meconopsis (blue poppies).

ADMISSION
  $12 – General admission
  $9 – Seniors and students
  FREE – RSBG members, children (age 12 and under), and military with ID

Interested in volunteering, vending or for sponsorship opportunities
Email :  info@rhodygarden.org

2026 Food Vendors

The Village Perk: A coffee truck featuring an extensive menu featuring scrumptious custom drinks—including coffee, espresso, and smoothies.

2026 Performing Arts

Jet Cities Chorus — 1:00 PM: Jet Cities Chorus is a chorus from the Seattle–Tacoma area that sings four-part, a cappella harmony with songs from many eras, including popular music, show tunes, and jazz. Founded in 1962, the chorus performs at festivals, ceremonies, and celebrations throughout the South Puget Sound area.

2026 Art Market

Hannah Jean: Ceramics inspired by the beauty and magic of Western Washington. Delicately handcrafted cups, bowls, mugs, travel tumblers, spoon rests, planters, and more. Each piece is 100% unique, and made by hand in Gig Harbor, Washington.

Bunnybeegirl: I grew up in Seattle and enjoy living in the PNW. I have always been a crafter and took up the art of plaster casting five years ago. I love casting plants, flowers and found objects because it allows us to enjoy them a bit longer.

Saze Glass: Sue and Zeke are partners in life and glass who love to share their creations through Saze Glass. Whether making large scale home decor in the hot shop or objects for everyday use, they like to capture the shiny and refractive essence of glass. They use precious metal fume, opals, and special colors in their mugs, jewelry, and sculpture.

Blue Cactus Press: A grassroots publishing house crafting books that serve as community resources, by collaborators from historically marginalized groups. We create books that encourage community conversations and move us toward liberation.

Joelle Hanton Art: Joelle of Joelle Hanton Art creates paintings, prints, and stationery that invite viewers into a world of quiet wonder. Blending gouache, watercolor, and acrylic with digital tools, her work captures the poetry of everyday beauty—where nature, nostalgia, and imagination gently intertwine.

Foxwillow Studio: Born and raised in western Washington, I have always been inspired by the beauty of the natural world, and I capture that through my colorful whimsical artwork. Creating mostly through watercolors and pen and ink, I draw from folk art style to create my unique pieces. I have dedicated my career to conserving natural resources, and I hope my work inspired others to deeply appreciate and protect the Earth. My creative journey draws on elements of growth, expansion, and connection to my community and world around me. 

MoonAndCauldron: Laura Irene is a queer, autistic, multi-media artist based in Seattle, working under the name Moon & Cauldron. She specializes in small-batch ceramics and playful crochet amigurumi, blending spooky and body-inspired themes with nostalgic charm. Her handmade work includes pieces like ghosts, bat ornaments, and her signature “Madge” ceramics—designed to bring both humor and heart into functional art. Laura is an active member of Seattle’s creative community and brings an inclusive, thoughtful presence to every market she joins.

Amanda Gligorea Art: My name is Amanda Gligorea, and I am a self-taught emerging artist. While I began my artistic journey in 2020 by refinishing furniture, I have spent the last 2 years transitioning to canvas painting. This shift has allowed me to incorporate greater detail and a wider variety of mediums into my work, resulting in unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. My work focuses on creating a sense of joy through the use of vibrant, uplifting colors. I specialize in subjects such as wildflowers, abstract florals, sunsets, and mountain landscapes. I enjoy experimenting with different mediums to continually evolve my techniques and artistic skills.

JadedVineDesign: Julie Carrasco, owner of Jaded Vine Design, is a professional artist working in glass, textiles, and jewelry. She lives and works in North Bend, Washington, where she sinks her hands into large-scale sculptures that reflect the human condition. Alongside this practice, she also thinks in miniature and values treasures held close to our bodies. Julie is inspired by her Filipina-American heritage and the natural world of both lands. She hopes to share this inspiration with all who experience her creations.

Bella Pétale Floral: Belle Pétale is a boutique floral design studio located in Tacoma, Washington inside the historic Court House Square. Each floral arrangement is made to order and created with a custom palette of seasonal flowers that are sourced in the PNW from local flower farms, to ensure the highest quality and unique variety. Every stem is hand-chosen and intricately placed to create a bespoke design for life’s big and small occasions.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!

We’re looking for friendly, plant loving people to volunteer in the Visitor Center for an hour to help hand out maps, tally plants, and general visitor direction and guidance. We have several slots available. The Visitor Center is open from 10 am-4 pm and we’re hoping to fill every hour with a knowledgeable and friendly plant person to help ensure visitors have an amazing experience at the garden. Volunteers will receive a free day pass to attend Blue Poppy Day (which they can participate in before and/or after their shift in the Visitor Center). Volunteers must commit to coming to the garden for orientation the morning of event day between 8-9 AM or any time between now and event day.

If you’re interested, please email info@rhodygarden.org.

Thank you for supporting the garden!