From Our Backyard to Yours

March 2026 LATIN NAME: Edgeworthia chrysantha COMMON NAME: Paperbush FAMILY: Thymelaeaceae TYPE: Deciduous shrub LOCATION AT BLOEDEL RESERVE: Rhododendron Glen ORIGIN: China GARDEN USES: Woodland Garden FUN FACT: Covered in umbelliferous clusters of small, tubular yellow [...]

This February, we celebrate the life of Mary Elizabeth Banning (1822–1903), a self-taught mycologist and botanical illustrator whose devotion to the often-overlooked kingdom of fungi echoes the Reserve’s own ethos: to honor all forms of [...]

Successfully establishing a meadow is a multi-year process, and the foundation of that success lies in thorough site preparation. One mantra often used in meadow-making is “take no prisoners,” because the more completely you address [...]

Paul Hayden Kirk: Architect of the Japanese Guest House One of the most cherished spaces at the Bloedel Reserve is the Japanese Guest House. Set within a serene landscape, it offers a place for contemplation [...]

Mia Mulvey, Multi-Media Artist & Educator In residence, February 2-23 This February, Bloedel Reserve welcomes artist and educator Mia Mulvey as a Creative Resident. Mulvey’s practice is rooted in close observation of the natural world, [...]

February 2026 LATIN NAME: Scoliopus bigelovii COMMON NAME: Fetid Adder’s-tongue FAMILY: Liliaceae TYPE: Herbaceous Perennial LOCATION AT BLOEDEL RESERVE: Orchid Woods & Rhododendron Glen ORIGIN: California GARDEN USES: Woodland Garden FUN FACT: With limited pollinators around [...]