PowellsWood Garden is inviting people to cultivate family bonds by starting a new tradition or continuing an existing one over Mother’s Day weekend, May 13-14, during the annual Mother’s Day tea.

Visitors are encourated to start a new tradition or continue an existing one by taking tea in the garden with family in an “English-styled elegant experience.” Offerings include fine tea by the pot, coffee, milk, lemonade, scones with jam and cream and cookies all served on garden china. The price of the tea is in addition to admission.

Go to http://powellswood.org/category/events/ for tea pricing.

No reservations are needed. Guests will be seated in the order in which they arrive.

Visitors are also encouraged to take unhurried, exploratory strolls using the new visitor’s guide and interpretive materials.

Benches that are spaced throughout the gardens provide for lingering over a good conversation. Light picnicking is also permitted.

Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., visitors may enjoy the music of harpist Victoria Norman, who will play a concert on the Garden Room patio. The concert is included in garden admission.

With extended open hours, visitors have plenty of time to enjoy the weekend in the English-inspired garden, called Federal Way’s “Secret Garden” by many. Gates open at 10 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

Tea service begins at 11 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m.

Admission to PowellsWood is $7 for adults; $5 for youth ages 13 to 18; $3 for children 6 to 12; and children 5 and younger can enter for free.

A shuttle is provided from the Sacajawea Park lot, just east of the garden at 1401 S. Dash Point Road. There is no on-site event parking. The shuttle will run continuously through Mother’s Day weekend, with the last shuttle departing from PowellsWood each day at 5:10 p.m.

Handicapped visitors should call at least 3 days ahead to discuss parking options.

PowellsWood Garden is located at 430 S. Dash Point Road in Federal Way.

Most areas of the garden are accessible by lawns and cobbled or graveled walkways. To take fullest advantage of the garden’s opportunities for exploration, however, sturdy walking shoes are advised. Amateur garden photography is welcome.

Visitors are encouraged to take unhurried strolls of PowellsWood Garden in Federal Way using a new visitor’s guide and interpretive materials on Mother’s Day weekend. The garden hours are extended May 13-14 for the annual Mother’s Day weekend tea event. Raechel Dawson, the Mirror