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 […]
Walk with Bob Braid, Senior Horticulturist (SOLD OUT)
Walk with a Horticulturist
Join Bob Braid, Caretaker and Senior Horticulturist to learn about spring favorites on this guided tour.
WHERE
Meet at the Arrival Garden
WHEN
April 11, […]
Nature and the Book: Panel Discussion
Nature and the Book: Panel Discussion
Join us as Nature and the Book: 2025 artists Paige Pettibon, Lucia Harrison, and Deborah Greenwood along with Nature […]
Forest Bathing for Kids (SOLD OUT)
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 […]
Amphibian Monitoring at the Reserve
In the summer of 2022, I met Paula Mackay, freelance journalist and carnivore ecologist with the Woodland Park Zoo (WPZ). She wrote an elegant […]
March Plant of the Month
March 2025
You may recognize this month’s choice as a previous Plant Pick from the Fall due to its stunning fall color. We couldn’t resist […]
Earth Day Celebration
Join us April 27th for family-friendly Earth Day FUN! This is a great way for the whole family to participate in land stewardship.
Earth Day […]
March Creative Resident Cedar Sigo
Cedar Sigo, Poet
In residence, February 27-March 19, 2025
About the Artist
A much-published poet, editor and lecturer, Cedar Sigo is currently a mentor in the MFA […]
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 […]
Artist’s View: 2 Days of Spring Eco Sketching
The Artist’s View: Two Days of Spring Eco Sketching
Join Visiting Nature Illustrator, Zebith Thalden for a very special immersive opportunity. In this […]
Follow the Sun with Forest Bathing
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 […]
Guided Garden Walks with KiDiMu
Guided garden walks for families with KiDiMu.