From Our Backyard to Yours

September 2026 LATIN NAME: Aconitum hemsleyanum COMMON NAME: Monk’s Hood, Wolfsbane FAMILY: Ranunculaceae TYPE: Herbaceous perennial ORIGIN: Central and western China GARDEN USES: Woodland Garden LOCATION AT THE RESERVE: Residence & Rhododendron Glen FUN FACT: Monk’s [...]

Why We Burn the Meadow Visitors may notice that part of the landscape in the Buxton Pollinator Meadow looks a little different this month. On August 17, the Bainbridge Island Fire Department, working in partnership [...]

Perri Howard, Multi-disciplinary Artist In residence, Aug 17-Sept 7 This August, Perri Howard joins Bloedel Reserve as our Creative Resident. Perri Lynch Howard is a multi-disciplinary artist working in painting, drawing, installation, and sound. Her [...]

Painting the Shadows: Meet Community Creative Laura Olesen-Berge For watercolor artist Laura Olesen-Berge, inspiration is everywhere at Bloedel Reserve—in the movement of light across a landscape, the changing shapes of shadows, and the quiet beauty [...]

A Landscape Jewel: The Story Behind Bloedel's Reflection Pool --Written by Jane Carlin, Volunteer Reflection pools have been in the national news recently, prompting me to look more closely at one of the most beloved [...]

August 2026 LATIN NAME: Hydrangea aspera ‘Kawakamii’ COMMON NAME: Rough-leaved hydrangea Kawakami Group FAMILY: Hydrangeaceae TYPE: Deciduous shrub ORIGIN: Taiwan GARDEN USES: Woodland Garden LOCATION AT THE RESERVE: Birch Garden FUN FACT: These elegant lacecap flowerheads attract [...]