Rare and Endangered Woody Plants Tour
Rare and Endangered Woody Plants Tour with Philip Bloomquist
Join Living Collections Curator, Philip Bloomquist for a tour focused […]
August Plant of the Month
August 2025
LATIN NAME: Wolffia spp.
COMMON NAME: Watermeal
FAMILY: Araceae
TYPE: Aquatic Plant
LOCATION AT BLOEDEL RESERVE: Ponds
GARDEN USES: Aquatic Garden, Compost […]
Plein Air Painting: Robin Weiss
Plein Air Painting with Master Teacher Robin Weiss
A wonderful opportunity to up your […]
Picture Perfect Phone Photography (SOLD OUT)
Picture Perfect: Creative Phone Photography for Nature Lovers
Join renowned photographer Baqi Kopelman for a fun, hands-on workshop that will unlock the […]
Follow the Sun: Forest Bathing (SOLD OUT)
Follow the Sun with Forest Bathing
Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku, a forest therapy or “forest bathing” walk is designed to help […]
Art of the Arrival Garden
Art of the Arrival Garden Area’s Botanical Landscape with Sean Peterson
Join Gardens North Manager, Horticulturist and Artist, Sean […]
The Summer Social (SOLD OUT)
Pack a picnic blanket, grab a bite from our vendors, immerse yourself in art, and settle in for a summer celebration!
Whether you come for […]
Mindfulness Meditation 9/10 (SOLD OUT)
Mindfulness Meditation with Alexa Rosenthal: Nature, Meditation & Sound
Surrounded by the natural beauty of Bloedel Reserve, Alexa Rosenthal leads a mindfulness meditation in […]
Volunteer Voices
Jane Carlin
July 2025
The Power of Gardening
I admit it—I don’t have a traditional garden. But I do have a balcony that’s filled with […]
Guided Tree Walking Concert with Essie Quansah (SOLD OUT)
Members Only Event!
We invite members to join Bloedel Reserve Creative Resident and visionary musician Esther Quansah on an immersive walking performance that blends sound, […]
July Creative Resident Chase Williamson
Chase Williamson, Painter
In residence, July 10-July 30, 2025
About the Artist
Chase Williamson joins us as July’s Creative […]
Mindfulness Meditation 8/20 (SOLD OUT)
Mindfulness Meditation with Alexa Rosenthal: Nature, Meditation & Sound
Surrounded by the natural beauty of Bloedel Reserve, Alexa Rosenthal leads a mindfulness meditation in […]
Gardens of Resilience: An Artist Talk and Garden Walk
Gardens Of Resilience: An Artist Talk and Garden Walk Through with Chase Williamson
Join Bloedel Creative Resident and artist Chase Williamson in discussing the living […]
July Plant of the Month
July 2025
LATIN NAME: Pyrola aphylla
COMMON NAME: Leafless Wintergreen
FAMILY: Ericaceae
TYPE: Saprophytic Perennial
ORIGIN: Western North America
LOCATION AT BLOEDEL […]
9 Native Plants We Love For Pollinators
Nine Plants We Love for Pollinators
Our Pollinator Meadow is designed with a clear goal in mind: to establish a highly diverse community of flowering […]
Rooted in Creativity: 10 Years of Bloedel Reserve’s Creative Residency Program
The most ingenious innovations may be inspired by the whispers of the wind, the complexity and strength of a spider’s web, the magnetic alignment […]
In the Shade of Giants
In the Shade of Giants: Rediscovering David Douglas and the Roots of Botanical Exploration
A few months ago, I was at a breakfast meeting with […]
Exhibit: 10 Years of Creative Residencies
Bloedel Reserve: 10 Years of Creative Residencies
Bloedel Reserve joins Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) in celebrating the 10th anniversary of […]
Tunes, Trees & Tacos (SOLD OUT)
Bring a blanket, your friends, and your summer spirit!
Settle into the summer rhythm at Tunes, Trees […]
Painting Flowery Forms (SOLD OUT)
Painting Flowery Forms in Bloedel’s Cut Flower Garden
A behind-the-scenes workshop with Watercolor Artist Martha Rogers
This workshop is a special chance for you to explore […]
Mindfulness Meditation 8/6 (SOLD OUT)
Mindfulness Meditation with Alexa Rosenthal: Nature, Meditation & Sound
Surrounded by the natural beauty of Bloedel Reserve, Alexa Rosenthal leads a mindfulness meditation in […]
June Creative Resident Aditi Kini
Aditi Kini, Writer
In residence, June 16-July 6, 2025
About the Artist
Aditi Kini joins us as a […]
Floral Shapes in Glass & Fiber (SOLD OUT)
Garden Inspirations: Floral Shapes in Glass and Fiber
Join Bloedel Community Creative, Stephanie Tayengco, for an intimate look at what’s in bloom in the cutting […]
Phone Photography in Nature (SOLD OUT)
Capture the Feeling: Phone Photography in Nature – Level 2
For those who already feel comfortable taking and editing photos on their phone, this next-level […]
Height of Summer Walk (SOLD OUT)
Height of Summer Horticulture Walk
Join renowned Expert Horticulturalist John Van den Meerendonk for an insider’s perspective and learn what he loves about summertime at […]
Build a Wattle Fence with Andy Moss (SOLD OUT)
Learn to Build a Wattle Fence
Come make your mark on Bloedel Reserve in this fun and useful workshop led by Gardens East Manager, Andy […]
Mapping Relations with Aditi Kini
Mapping Relations: A participatory, reflective, visual exercise
Join Aditi Kini, Bloedel Reserve Creative Resident, for this unusual and engaging experience around writing […]
2025 Bloedel Reserve Garden Party
Thrive from Deep Roots at the Bloedel Reserve Garden Party
August 7, 4 PM-8 PM
Register and purchase tickets here: […]
2025 City Nature Challenge Results
At our Earth Day Celebration on April 27th, Bloedel Reserve made its debut in the City […]
Irrigation at Bloedel: A Look Behind the Scenes
As summer approaches and the soil begins to dry out, the horticulture team at Bloedel Reserve is preparing for another busy irrigation season. Visitors […]
Mindfulness Meditation (SOLD OUT)
Mindfulness Meditation with Alexa Rosenthal: Nature, Meditation & Sound
Surrounded by the natural beauty of Bloedel Reserve, Alexa Rosenthal leads a mindfulness meditation in […]
Mindfulness Meditation 7/2 (SOLD OUT)
Mindfulness Meditation with Alexa Rosenthal: Nature, Meditation & Sound
Surrounded by the natural beauty of Bloedel Reserve, Alexa Rosenthal leads a mindfulness meditation in […]
June Plant of the Month
June 2025
LATIN NAME: Gunnera manicata
COMMON NAME: Giant Rhubarb
FAMILY: Gunneraceae
TYPE: Herbaceous perennial
ORIGIN: Columbia, Southern Brazil
LOCATION AT BLOEDEL RESERVE: Mid-Pond
GARDEN USES: Rain Garden, Pond Edge
FUN FACT:
With […]
May Creative Resident Laura Villareal
Laura Villareal, Poet & Book Critic
In residence, May 21-June 10, 2025
About the Artist
Poet & Book Critic […]
Foraging for Imagery Poetry Workshop & Walk
Foraging for Imagery: Generative Poetry Workshop and Walk with Creative Resident Laura Villareal
Humans are naturally metaphor seeking, but in this hectic […]
Members Only: Bats Northwest Talk (SOLD OUT)
Join us for a special Members Only opportunity to meet with Bats Northwest and learn about a variety of local bats, […]
Bard at Bloedel: Macbeth
Join us for a perfect pairing on a summer's eve: Macbeth at the Sheep Sheds at Bloedel Reserve.
May Plant of the Month
May 2025
LATIN NAME: Podophyllum sp
COMMON NAME: Mayapple
FAMILY: Berberidaceae
TYPE: Herbaceous perennial
ORIGIN: Afghanistan to China; Southeast Canada to the Central and Eastern US
LOCATION AT BLOEDEL RESERVE: Arrival […]
Plein Air Painting In the Gardens
Plein Air Open Painting Day
See the grounds in a new light on this facilitated open painting day. Plein Air Artist Fatima Young will be […]
Wild Times Meadow Walk
Wild Times Meadow Walk with Haley Wiggins
Join Gardens South Manager Haley Wiggins for an eye-popping tour of the Buxton Bird Marsh and Pollinator Meadow. […]
Nature in Action: Walks That Restore and Enliven the Spirit
Have you ever noticed how your mindset improves after a walk in nature? A sense of calm seems to settle in after time spent […]
Tending Minds and Moss
Since early 2024, Bloedel Reserve has teamed up with the Bainbridge Island School District (BISD) Adult Living Program to provide work experience for the […]
Shaping Tradition: The Art of Pine Candling
If you visit the Japanese Garden at Bloedel Reserve during May, you might catch a […]
Mission and Vision Statements
Despite their brevity, drafting mission and vision statements is a challenging task. Boiling down decades of history and plans for the future – along […]
April Creative Resident Megan Karson
Megan Karson, Tintype Photographer
In residence, April 25-May 15, 2025
About the Artist 
Megan Karson joins us as […]
Follow the Sun: Forest Bathing 6/21
Follow the Sun Solstice Walk
Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku, a forest therapy or “forest bathing” walk is designed to help you […]
Forest Bathing 6/20 (CANCELLED)
Follow the Sun Solstice Walk
Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku, a forest therapy or “forest bathing” walk is designed to help you […]
Follow the Sun: Forest Bathing 6/19 (CANCELLED)
Follow the Sun Solstice Walk
Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku, a forest therapy or “forest bathing” walk is designed to help you […]
Forest Bathing for Kids (CANCELLED)
Forest Bathing for Kids
Enjoy a magical forest bathing experience designed especially for young children with certified Forest Therapy Guide Tina Guldhammer Frei. This interactive […]
Creative Phone Photography (SOLD OUT)
Picture Perfect: Creative Phone Photography for Nature Lovers
Join renowned photographer Baqi Kopelman for a fun, hands-on workshop that will unlock the full potential of […]
Boisterous Blooms Walk (SOLD OUT)
Boisterous Blooms Walk with Andy Moss
The Rhododendron Glen is dressed in its finest blooms in May! Join Andy Moss of our Horticulture and Design […]
Blooms, Bubbles & Bees (SOLD OUT)
Treat Your Mom to a Special Day at Bloedel Reserve!
Join us on Sunday, May 11th, for a fun-filled, family-friendly celebration with a variety of […]
April Plant of the Month
April 2025
LATIN NAME: Rhododendron sutchuenense var geraldii
COMMON NAME: Szechwan Rhododendron
FAMILY: Ericaceae
TYPE: Evergreen shrub or tree
ORIGIN: W. China
LOCATION AT BLOEDEL RESERVE: Rhododendron Glen
GARDEN USES: Woodland […]
English Holly: Friend or Foe?
English Holly, Ilex aquifolium, (a.k.a. Feral Holly or Common Holly) is a non-native understory tree commonly associated with the holidays for its bright red […]
Plein Air Painting for Beginners
Plein Air Painting for Beginners with Gigi Godfrey
Painting on location allows artists to capture the emotional […]
Tintype Family Portraits (SOLD OUT)
Tintype Family Portraits
A Mother’s Day gift to remember! Tintype photographer and current Creative Resident, Megan Karson, will be on site creating unique handmade 4”x5” […]
Japanese Garden Tour with Bob Braid
Japanese Garden Tour
See the Japanese Garden through the eyes of its caretaker, Bob Braid. Bob has been tending the garden for many years and […]
Writing Through the Seasons: Autumn
Writing Through the Seasons: Autumn Series
Writing Through the Seasons is a […]
Forest Bathing for Kids
Forest Bathing for Kids
Enjoy a magical forest bathing experience designed especially for young children with certified Forest Therapy Guide Tina Guldhammer Frei. This interactive […]
Spring Garden Tasks
Spring is just a couple weeks away and it is time to get our gardens ready. Here is a list of things you can […]
Covert Living: Fungi on Parade Walk (SOLD OUT)
Covert Living: Fungi on Parade Walk
Explore the hidden world of fungi life with Joseph Zapotosky, of the Puget Sound Mycological Society, on a short […]
Nature Through Your Lens (SOLD OUT)
Nature Through Your Lens: A Phone Photography Workshop
Join renowned photographer Baqi Kopelman for a fun, hands-on workshop that will unlock the full potential of […]