All About the Bellevue Botanical Garden

Bellevue, WA, is home to the Bellevue Botanical Garden. If you live in the area or are just visiting, this large botanic garden is a warm and inviting place to view the best of the Pacific Northwest’s native plants. The garden is situated to the east of downtown Bellevue and is open daily from dawn until dusk. 

A Brief History

The Bellevue Botanical Garden encompasses 53 acres of display gardens, wetlands, meadows, rolling hills, and woodlands. It’s an urban refuge at its finest. Here you’ll find a variety of fauna that you can’t see anywhere else. No matter if you have a green thumb or only want to learn about native plants, this is the place for you.

The Bellevue Botanical Garden first opened to the public in 1996, and over 350,000 people from around the world visit the center every year. Along with the beautiful display of plants, the garden is home to native wildlife, birds, and pollinating insects. Bellevue Botanical also offers educational programs for both children and adults. Of course, the stunning garden displays are the main reason for visiting, but the educational classes, yearly courses, and special events are worth checking out as well.

Exploring the Gardens

Variety is the spice of life, and the Bellevue Botanical Garden doesn’t disappoint. This Bellevue, WA attraction is home to a variety of individual gardens. Each garden has a specific theme that sets it apart from the others. Native plants abound in this setting, and helpful tips and information regarding each species are available to provide you with a better understanding of the natural world. 

Seasonal displays showcase the best that each season has to offer. One of the most popular attractions is the Fuchsia Garden, which focuses on the flowers of summer. This garden has over 100 kinds of fuchsias on display at a given time. The aroma is intoxicating, and you’ll leave with a smile on your face. If you’re lucky during your visit, you may even see the hummingbirds that are naturally attracted to these gorgeous flowers.

The Bellevue Botanical Garden is host to many types of plants, with most of them being native to the area. The Urban Meadow Garden is an excellent example of this. This garden area showcases native grasses and perennials, which require very little water while providing food and shelter for the Mason Bee and other pollinators. 

The Urban Meadow Garden encompasses the beauty of nature by allowing native Northwestern plants to take center stage. The same holds for the Waterwise Garden. Here you’ll discover more native plants that conserve water without sacrificing in looks. Some of the most exquisite natural beauty in Bellevue can be seen every day in the beautiful garden areas of the center. 

Educational Opportunities at the Garden

Ongoing educational programs are always popular at Bellevue Botanical Garden. They do require pre-registration and a small fee, but the knowledge and insight gained at one of these workshops are invaluable. The programs include essential and insightful information, such as necessary plant breeding skills, opening up the senses to the beauty of nature, and even how to capture nature’s essence in a photograph. 

The programs change periodically as new teachers rotate through the doors to bring their knowledge and expertise to the lectures and the classroom. Schools can also book tours for their students. However, you don’t have to be in school to enjoy the gardens. Be sure to check back from time-to-time to see the latest offerings.

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