Spring is time to visit local gardens

The season is bringing new life to local botanical gardens, as every day of sun coaxes buds and flowers.

Gardens

Washington Park Arboretum

Seattle Seasonal highlights include Azalea Way, barberry, camellia, flowering cherry, maple, madrona, magnolia, rhododendron, dawn to dusk daily, guided tours, 1 p.m. most first and third Sundays, call to confirm; Graham Visitors Center open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, Washington Park Arboretum, 2300 Arboretum Drive E., Seattle; free (206-543-8800 or www.depts.washington.edu/wpa).

Seattle Japanese Garden

Seattle Traditional garden, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, the Japanese Garden, 1075 Lake Washington Blvd. E., Seattle; $3-$5, fees may vary based on activities; garden closing times subject to weather (206-684-4725 or www.seattle.gov/parks/parkspaces/japanesegarden.htm).

Center For Urban Horticulture Gardens

Seattle Courtyard, shade garden, native garden, fragrance garden, daylight hours daily; Miller Horticultural Library, Center for Urban Horticulture, University of Washington, 3501 N.E. 41st St., Seattle (206-205-8616 or www.urbanhort.org).

Volunteer Park Conservatory

Seattle Victorian-style greenhouse has permanent and rotating seasonal displays of plants from around the world, including succulents, bromeliads and orchids. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, Volunteer Park, 1400 E. Galer St., Seattle; free, donations suggested (206-684-4743).

Carl S. English Jr. Gardens

Seattle Ornamental garden with a colorful collection of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants from around the world, 7 a.m.-dusk daily at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, 3015 N.W. 54th St., Seattle; free (206-783-7001).

Kubota Garden

Seattle 20-acre Japanese-American garden with a Northwest influence, waterfalls, ponds, open daylight hours daily, Kubota Garden Park, 55th Avenue South and Renton Avenue South, Seattle (206-684-4584 or www.kubota.org).

Dunn Gardens

Seattle Historic gardens, tours by advance reservation only, 1 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. Saturdays, children under age 12 and pets not admitted; Seattle; $7-$10 (206-362-0933 or www.dunngardens.org).

Bellevue Botanical Garden

Bellevue Perennials, Japanese garden, alpine rock garden and native Northwest plants, 7:30 a.m.-dusk daily, Visitors Center open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily; 12001 Main St., Bellevue (425-452-2750 or www.bellevuebotanical.org). Kruckeberg Botanic Garden

Shoreline More than 2,000 plant species, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday-Sunday, free tours 1 p.m. on first and third Saturdays, Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, 20312 15th Ave. N.W., Shoreline; parking very limited (206-546-1281 or www.kruckeberg.org).

Macadam Winter Garden

Tukwila Showcase for winter blooming plants, open daylight hours daily, South 144th Street and Macadam Road, Tukwila (206-768-2822 or www.ci.tukwila.wa.us/recreation/pkmacadam.html). Highline SeaTac

Botanical Garden

SeaTac Seike Japanese Garden, the Elda Behm Paradise Garden, trees, streams, Accessible Garden, 7 a.m.-dusk daily, 13735 24th Ave. S., SeaTac; tours available (206-391-4003 or www.highlinegarden.org).

Lake Wilderness Arboretum

Maple Valley 40-acre forest with trails through native forests, display gardens, dawn to dusk daily, adjacent to Lake Wilderness Park, 22520 S.E. 248th St., Maple Valley; free (425-413-2572 or www.lakewildernessarboretum.org).

Rhododendron Species Foundation Public Garden

Federal Way Hundreds of rhododendron species and spring bulbs, perennials and flowering trees and shrubs in peak bloom through mid-May, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays-Tuesdays (closed Thursdays), Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, 2525 S. 336th St., Federal Way; $3-$5, ages 11 and younger free (www.rhodygarden.org).

W.W. Seymour

Botanical Conservatory

Tacoma Trees, ferns, orchids and floral displays, plant and gift shop in Victorian-style domed conservatory, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, Wright Park, 316 S. G St., Tacoma; free, donations appreciated (253-591-5330 or www.metroparkstacoma.org/parks/conservatory.view).

Lakewold Gardens

Lakewood Fern and alpine rock gardens, rhododendrons and Japanese maples, seasonal blooms, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays, 12317 Gravelly Lake Drive S.W., Lakewood; $3-$5 (253-584-4106 or www.lakewoldgardens.org). Bloedel Reserve

Bainbridge Island Forest trails, bird refuge, meadows, Japanese garden, moss garden, waterfall, azaleas and visitors center. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday by reservation only, 7571 N.E. Dolphin Drive, Bainbridge Island; $4-$12 (206-842-7631 or www.bloedelreserve.org).