South Puget Sound
Gardens Tour
Explore a self-guided garden tour through the southern Puget Sound region, where a mix of lush woodland gardens, formal landscapes, and rare plant collections await. From sweeping views and curated borders to quiet forested paths, these gardens offer a peaceful retreat filled with seasonal color and horticultural variety—all within a short drive of Seattle.
POWELLSWOOD GARDEN
PowellsWood Garden in Federal Way offers three acres of carefully curated English-style plantings woven seamlessly into an adjoining 37 acre Pacific Northwest woodland preserve. Visitors can wander through distinct “garden rooms”—including the moss-draped Shade Garden, vibrant perennial borders, and a tranquil stream-and-pond area—before continuing through forested trails under towering cedars, hemlocks, and Douglas firs. The garden’s design, originating from reclaimed land once marred by debris and poor soil, highlights sustainable practices and environmental stewardship at every turn.
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430 S Dash Pt Rd Federal Way, WA 98003 GET DIRECTIONS |
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(253) 529-1620 |
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Helpful Hints: The garden hosts seasonal events and open garden days that are not available year-round, including Winter Glow – an illuminated holiday walk, so check their calendar before visiting to make the most of your trip.
POINT DEFIANCE PARK
Point Defiance Park in Tacoma is a 760-acre urban oasis offering a mix of natural beauty, scenic views, and cultural attractions. Visitors can stroll through themed gardens, hike forested trails, or take in panoramic vistas of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. The park is home to a zoo and aquarium, historic landmarks, beaches, picnic areas, and a rose garden, making it a popular destination for all ages. Its blend of cultivated and wild spaces provides a peaceful and inspiring retreat within the city, ideal for nature lovers, families, photographers, and anyone seeking a relaxing outdoor escape.
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5400 N Pearl St Tacoma, WA 98407 GET DIRECTIONS |
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(253) 305-1000 |
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Helpful Hints: Point Defiance Park is large and easy to explore by car—if you’re visiting multiple spots like the rose garden, Japanese garden, or rhododendron garden, use the Five Mile Drive loop to enjoy scenic views along the way.
RHODODENDRON SPECIES BOTANICAL GARDEN
The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way spans 22 acres of serene woodland dedicated to the largest living collection of wild rhododendron species in the world. Surrounded by towering conifers, visitors discover winding paths edged with colorful rhododendron shrubs, Himalayan blue poppy meadows, a tropical conservatory, and the enchanting Victorian stumpery—all reflecting a true botanical tapestry of rare and exotic plants in a forest-like setting. Seasonal blooms offer ever-changing color and texture, making the garden a dynamic destination throughout the year.
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2525 S 336th St Federal Way, WA 98003 GET DIRECTIONS |
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(253) 838-4646 |
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Helpful Hints: The garden offers discounted admission when purchased online in advance, and tickets often include access to the adjacent Pacific Bonsai Museum—making it easy to enjoy both destinations in one visit.
LAKEWOLD GARDENS
Lakewold Gardens is a historic 10-acre estate situated on the shores of Gravelly Lake in Lakewood, Washington. Designed in collaboration with landscape architect Thomas Church during the mid-20th century, the grounds seamlessly blend formal European‐style boxwood parterres, reflecting pools, and paved brick walks with lush Pacific Northwest woodlands filled with native trees, ferns, and mosses. The Georgian-style Wagner House offers framed garden views and a serene backdrop for events, while winding paths lead through specialty collections—rhododendrons, Japanese maples, hardy ferns—to gently sloping lawns and secluded woodland.
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12317 Gravelly Lake Dr SW Lakewood, WA 98499 GET DIRECTIONS |
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(253) 584-4106 |
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Helpful Hints: Lakewold Gardens hosts a variety of workshops and seasonal events, from floral design and art classes to holiday wreath-making. These popular offerings tend to fill up early, so register in advance to secure your spot.
HIGHLINE SEATAC BOTANICAL GARDEN
Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is an 11‑acre community oasis, blending rescued heritage gardens with thoughtfully curated thematic plantings. Featuring Elda Behm’s whimsical Paradise Garden, a formal Celebration Rose Garden, and a serene Seike Japanese Garden complete with pond, stone bridges, and a century‑old maple, the site showcases a rich variety of Northwest flora—from rhododendrons and irises to fuchsias and daylilies. Rooted in community spirit, the garden preserves historic plantings and now invites visitors to wander its tranquil paths, enjoy floral displays, and appreciate the living legacy of conservation through design.
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13735 24th Ave S SeaTac, WA 98168 GET DIRECTIONS |
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(206) 391-4003 |
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Helpful Hints: The garden is a popular venue for weddings and special events, with its rose garden and lush plantings providing a scenic backdrop. Reservations fill quickly, so it’s best to book early.
HULDA KLAGER LILAC GARDENS
The Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens in Woodland is a living tribute to the pioneering spirit of “The Lilac Lady,” horticulturist Hulda Klager (1863–1960), who began hybridizing her own lilac varieties in 1905. Centered around an 1880’s Victorian farmhouse, the gardens feature over 90 lilac cultivars—including many developed by Klager herself—interwoven with wistful woodland paths and heritage plantings. A devastating 1948 flood nearly wiped it out, but the local community returned lilac starts and restored the site. Now a state and national historic landmark, the gardens host an annual “Lilac Days” festival in spring that honors both Klager’s legacy and her enduring botanical creations
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115 S Pekin Rd Woodland, WA 98674 GET DIRECTIONS |
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(360) 225-8996 |
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Helpful Hints: The gift shop sells lilacs during Lilac Days, including varieties developed by Hulda—quantities are limited, so arrive early for the best selection. You’ll also find Where Lilacs Still Bloom, a novel based on her life.