Late spring blooms are in full swing at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden (RSBG) in Federal Way. With 28,000 visitors every year, the botanical garden is full of stunning and colorful flowers in a variety of colors, including the first blue poppies that are such a striking shade they almost don’t seem real.

“Spring at the RSBG is a riot of color with blooming rhododendrons, magnolias, camellias and a host of other beautiful trees, shrubs and wildflowers,” said Steve Hootman, executive director of horticulture and curator at the garden.

The garden received two local awards last year, including the 2023 Best in the PNW from the Seattle Times and the 2023 Community Impact Award from the Greater Federal Federal Way Chamber of Commerce. The garden is located on the Weyerhaeuser campus, 2525 S. 336th St., Federal Way.

The coast rhododendron is Washington’s state flower, which was selected by the women of the state in 1892 in order to enter an official flower into the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, according to the state’s website. The flower was adopted as an official state symbol before any other category, including the flag.

“Thanks to the mild maritime climate of the Pacific Northwest, we enjoy a long season of spring with the first rhododendron species coming into flower soon after the start of the New Year,” Hootman said. “This is followed by a progression of color well into June with the beginning of the summer season. The flowers are matched in beauty by the emergence of the new growth of the rhododendron species with the new leaves ranging from one inch in length all the way up to two feet.”

The RSBG boasts over 700 varieties of rhododendrons, as well as a range of other unique plants.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Pop-up plant vendor weekends: Throughout April and May, the garden will host featured vendor weekends in partnership with local nurseries. Paying admission is not required to shop, but tickets are required to visit the garden. Visit on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to shop the variety of selections including everything from house plants to native species.

• Mother’s Day Weekend 2024: Saturday, May 11, and Sunday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Celebrate mom with a fun outing to the rhody garden. Experience the garden at peak bloom and explore 13 garden features. Enjoy a musical performance and shop from local and international artists, dine on delicious cuisine from a food truck, or browse rare and beautiful botanicals for purchase from the onsite nursery. Learn more at rhodygarden.org.

• Blue Poppy Day 2024: The mystical Himalayan blue poppy, Meconopsis, will be featured at the garden. Celebrate these fabulous flowers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Walk through a meadow glowing with blooming blue poppies or stroll along the ADA accessible path through the blue poppy glade. There are two fields of poppies to explore. Enjoy musical performances, shop in the art market and enjoy delicious cuisine from a food truck, surrounded by a brilliant botanical garden nestled in a PNW forest. The nursery will be stocked with a stunning selection of plants for sale, including blue poppies.

• SummerFest: Join the garden for its first SummerFest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 22. It’s a chance for the community to celebrate together, enjoy family activities, shop in an outdoor art market, eat delicious food and listen to live musical performances. Admission is free.

A rhododendron luteum variety catches the April sunlight at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror

Rhododendron orbiculare flowers are unusual in the round shape. These greet visitors to the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden on the walk from the parking lot to the garden before they have even arrived at the entrance. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror

Photos by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror Rhododendron augustinii bring a purple glow to the main sign at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror

Photos by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror Rhododendron augustinii bring a purple glow to the main sign at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror

Rhododendron augustinii flowers tower approximately 20 feet up near the Big-Leaf Rhododendron Garden area, just after the Blue Poppy Meadow.

Rhododendron davidsonianum flowers stand at the front in a circle of many other colors of flowers in a corner of the gardens tucked away off the main paths. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror