Coast Rhododendron Typist: Bethany
It's Rhododendron season here is Seattle which is very exciting because the large clumps of colorful flowers are everywhere you turn. While we can enjoy many sizes and varieties in our own garden and around the neighborhood, I always try to get to the University of Washington Botanical Gardens mid-spring to wander the Rhododendron Glade. Their varied and ancient collection of these gorgeous evergreen shrubs never ceases to amaze. The very best part is that "Dogs are more than welcome at both sites of the UWBG as long as they are on a leash and get picked up after."
It's Rhododendron season here is Seattle which is very exciting because the large clumps of colorful flowers are everywhere you turn. While we can enjoy many sizes and varieties in our own garden and around the neighborhood, I always try to get to the University of Washington Botanical Gardens mid-spring to wander the Rhododendron Glade. Their varied and ancient collection of these gorgeous evergreen shrubs never ceases to amaze. The very best part is that "Dogs are more than welcome at both sites of the UWBG as long as they are on a leash and get picked up after."
| Weather wise, we didn't exactly pick the best day to go to an arboretum but I suppose it depends on what kind of weather you like. We all loved that we only saw six other people the whole time we hiked this city park. I cheered the lightening and thunder (partly so the dogs would be brave and partly because I really love lightening and thunder.) The unique variety of gigantic trees swaying in the wind gusts was thrilling and the downpours were so very Cascadian.  Click on the map for a larger view in a new tab |  Nomads and irises in a downpour |
Wet Nomads and blooming Pacific Madrone trees
We went to see the rhodies but everything was blooming. I was very surprised that the azaleas were still lovely and even the camellias had a few blossoms left. There were even fuchsias blooming! I'm sure the hummingbirds wish the fuchsias in my garden were now blooming but it will be a while still. Due to tree maintenance some trails were closed but we finally found the Rhododendrons.
 Azalea Way  Huxley reads the detour signs |  Wilhelm & Brychwyn read about the fuchsia variety  Brychwyn finds a rhodie and sunshine! |
Just as we found the Rhododendron Glade, the sun came out. We are some very lucky Nomads. We wandered the paths weaving through the blossoming rhodies. I gawked at the massive shrubs holding clumps of colorful flowers high in the air while the dogs sniffed among ferns and at the base of old growth trees.
 Wilhelm under a yellow rhodie  A red rhodie, Huxley, Brychwyn and a sword fern The weather changed again before our arboretum visit was over but none of us minded at all. Even the mother duck and her ducklings on the pond enjoyed us appreciating the rain. The dogs were |  Huxley, a big fir and a pink rhodie  Under the huge rhodendrons  Nomads at a yellow iris lined pond |
respectfully quiet. (They were actually more curious about the ponds resident turtles.) The Washington Park Arboretum is definitely one of my favorite parks in the city to wander, rain or shine. The beautiful big blossoms of the rhododendrons make any day and any weather in Cascadia wonderful as does having my dogs by my side.
Top of the Rhododendron Glen
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