Federal Way is home to one of the largest and finest collections of Rhododendron species in the world. Over 10,000 rhododendrons grow in a beautiful woodland setting covering 22 acres. The garden displays over 700 species native to four continents.
The Rhododendron Species Foundation & Botanical Garden is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the conservation, public display, and distribution of Rhododendron species. Conservation has come to be of primary importance in recent years with the destruction of Rhododendron habitat in many areas of the world. The Foundation provides education relating to these beautiful plants and serves as a unique resource for scientific, horticultural, and general gardening communities worldwide.
Located between Seattle and Tacoma, Washington. View Map.
Construction and Access Update: The east entrance to campus will be intermittently closed due to ongoing construction. Please drive around to the west entrance as needed.
Our street address is 2525 S. 336th Street, Federal Way, WA 98003 but this address will map to an empty field, so please be sure to follow the clearly marked signs to the Rhododendron and Bonsai Gardens, as this street address can be confusing. We recommend inputting our business name, “Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden,” into your GPS application – this method will send you directly to our entrance.
From Seattle: Drive south on Interstate 5, take exit 143, turn left onto South 320th Street.
From Tacoma: Drive north on Interstate 5, take exit 143 and turn right onto South 320th Street. Once on South 320th Street continue to Weyerhaeuser Way South and turn right. Drive until the road becomes a roundabout. Yield and proceed to the right, then take the second right out of the roundabout, which is a continuation of Weyerhaeuser Way South. Drive 1/4 mile to the east entrance of the Weyerhaeuser Corporate Headquarters. Follow the signs marked “Rhododendron and Bonsai Gardens.”
Passengers may unload at the Visitor Drop-off which is on the left, or continue to the Garden Visitor Parking Lot (west lot) located on the right just past the pedestrian crosswalk.
From Kent-Auburn Valley / Highway 18: Driving west on Highway 18 take the Weyerhaeuser Way South exit. Go to the right and, at the stop sign, turn right. Go about a 1/4 mile to the east entrance of the Weyerhaeuser Corporate Headquarters. Turn left onto the corporate campus and follow the signs marked “Rhododendron and Bonsai Gardens.” Passengers may unload at the Visitor Drop-off which is on the left, or continue to the Garden Visitor Parking Lot (west lot) located on the right just past the pedestrian crosswalk.
Tours have returned! Click on the button below to request a garden tour.
Learn all about our unique collection from knowledgeable and enthusiastic docents! During peak season, we appreciate a 2-week advance registration and a minimum of 10 participants. Fees are $10 per person. REQUEST A GARDEN TOUR
In addition to docent-led tours, garden guides are available online at Self-Guided Tours and in the Visitor Center for your convenience .
Year-Round Features: Pacific Northwest forest, Alpine Garden, Pond Garden, Woodland Garden, Hardy Fern Collection and Victorian Stumpery, Gazebo, RSBG Nursery, Visitor Center.
Spring: Peak bloom time is mid-March through mid-May. Hundreds of Rhododendron species are in bloom, as well as spring bulbs, perennials, emerging ferns, and flowering trees and shrubs. Meconopsis (Blue Poppies) begin blooming in May and continue into June. Summer: Attractive new foliage, unusual late-blooming rhododendrons, perennials, carnivorous plants, hydrangeas, and ferns. Fall: Spectacular fall color provided by azaleas, maples, sweet gums, fothergillas, and many other ornamental trees and shrubs throughout the garden. Winter: Silhouettes of deciduous trees, our extensive conifer collection, swelling buds, and the beautiful flowers of early blooming rhododendrons and heather in January and February. View our self-guided tour guides for more details about what to see during the different seasons.
