Upcoming garden tours are a way to explore, learn and get design inspiration.
Garden tours are a wonderful way to explore beautiful landscapes, gather design ideas and inspiration, discover plants that thrive locally and learn creative ways to incorporate garden art. They also offer practical gardening techniques and a chance to connect with fellow gardeners. Here are some upcoming tours to check out.
Madison Park Garden Tour, June 13
The third annual Madison Park Garden Tour takes place June 13 from 10 am to 3 pm. This community event invites you to stroll through some of the neighborhood’s most beautiful and inspiring gardens, offering a rare glimpse behind the gates of thoughtfully curated private gardens. Proceeds benefit Friends of Madison Park. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.
Woodinville Garden Club Tour of Gardens, June 20
Join the Woodinville Garden Club for the 25th Tour of Gardens on June 20 from 10 am to 4 pm. This self-drive tour lets you go at your own pace to visit five local gardens. As you explore the gardens, you will find a Master Gardener clinic, refreshments, sponsor tables, live music and a raffle. In Harmony will have a table at the tour—come say hi! Tickets are $25 sold at local retail outlets or $28 online. More info here.
Secret Gardens of Lake Forest Park, June 20
Explore six stunning private gardens during the Secret Gardens of Lake Forest Park tour on June 20 from 9 am to 3 pm. Each location features musicians, artists and Master Gardeners to enhance your visit. Then stop by the Garden Market to shop for unique plants and garden art. The tour is a collaboration among four local nonprofits. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. More info here.
West Seattle Garden Tour, June 28
The West Seattle Garden Tour. a local favorite since 1995, returns on June 28 from 9 am to 5 pm. This year’s event features 12 diverse gardens. Proceeds support nonprofits focused on horticulture, education and the arts in West Seattle and nearby communities. Tickets are $37 at select retail locations. More info here.
Mill Creek Garden Tour, July 25
Join the Mill Creek Garden Club for its 10th annual tour on July 25 from 11 am to 4 pm. Visit six beautiful gardens and shop from artisans throughout the tour. Tickets go on sale June 12, with proceeds supporting the club’s Giving Through Gardening grant program. More info on the tour here.
Public gardens
Visit the Washington Park Arboretum or other public gardens for more ideas and inspiration.
If you’re looking for more ideas and inspiration, the region’s public gardens offer year-round beauty.
- Washington Park Arboretum: A welcome oasis on the shores of Lake Washington, its 230 acres contain a world class selection of plants, some found nowhere else in the Northwest. The Graham Visitors Center offers maps, restrooms and a gift shop.
- Seattle Japanese Garden: Nestled within the arboretum, this 3.5-acre garden offers a contemplative stroll on a winding path around a central pond, with traditional stone benches, lanterns, bridges and buildings.
- Bellevue Botanical Garden: Spanning 53 acres, the garden offers cultivated landscapes, restored woodlands and natural wetlands. Current exhibits include the Lost Bird Project and the Habitats at Home demonstration garden.
- Kubota Garden: A 20-acre landscape in south Seattle that blends Japanese garden concepts with native Northwest plants, featuring waterfalls, ponds, bridges and rock outcroppings with a rich array of trees and other plants.
- You can explore more public gardens in Bainbridge Island, King County, Kitsap County, Seattle, Snohomish County, South Sound and West Sound. Find a directory at Puget Sound Public Gardens.
