As early as February, the botanical magic begins in Seattle—starting with daffodils, crocuses, and camellias—as flowers and shrubs begin to display their brilliant colors in gardens and parks throughout the city.
Courtesy University of Washington
One of the city’s most dramatic displays of cherry blossoms takes place around The Quad on the stately campus of the University of Washington (off the south end of Memorial Way NE). The 29 Yoshino cherry trees, which were a gift to the city of Seattle from Japan, unfurl their fragrant, eye-catching pink flowers from mid-March through early April. The blossoms are then showered with adoration during the Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival on the South Fountain Lawn of Seattle Center (305 Harrison St) over three days in early April.
Starting in late February and peaking between April and May, the nearby Washington Park Arboretum (2300 Arboretum Dr E) is awash in white, pink, and maroon rhododendron blossoms. The Arboretum and the adjacent Seattle Japanese Garden (1075 Lake Washington Blvd E) are also excellent places to view azaleas, magnolias, dogwoods, and other springtime beauties, including more cherry blossoms.
By May and especially throughout June, stop and smell the roses in Woodland Park Rose Garden (750 N 50th St), and at the rose garden overlooking Elliott Bay in Centennial Park (2711 Alaskan Way W). Other inviting green spaces with a variety of spring blooms include Kubota Garden (9817 55th Ave S) and Seattle Chinese Garden (6000 16th Ave SW).
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