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Tucked Away

Gorgeous historic gardens off the beaten bath

by JASMIN THANKACHEN / photos by JOSHUA HUSTON

We've made it through the dead of winter and I know my family’s ready for some springtime fun! What better way to ring in the new season, than to visit local gardens not overrun by large crowds? These hidden gems are some of Seattle’s best-kept secrets, full of history and opulence. With their year-round blooms and foliage from native trees and exotic plants, these parks educate and amaze.

Dunn Gardens

Nestled in a north Seattle neighborhood, this private garden offers both self-guided and docent-led tours. Designed by the famous Olmsted Brothers (think Central Park in New York City), the garden paths meander through collections of rhododendrons, dogwoods, azaleas, hostas and other perennial plants. A hidden path leads to a Woodland Garden nestled beneath a canopy of lush green trees and a tangle of tree trunks winding their way into the ground. Catch a glimpse of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains on a clear day. Find a quiet space on the great lawn or in the courtyard. Children will love the open spaces and beautiful colors and learn that the Dunn Family helped make the rhododendron Washington’s state flower. 313533 Northshire Road NW 98177; dunngardens.org

Highline Seatac Botanical Garden

Hop, skip and jump across the bridge at the Japanese Garden, then follow the sounds of the stream to an open pond — a great place to read or explore. Play peek-a-boo around the Greek columns on the lawn. Highline Seatac Botanical Garden is a great place to learn about plants as well as do some plane spotting: Manmade “birds” fly over the park that’s near Sea-Tac Airport. Maintained by volunteers, the botanical garden is home to thousands of plants. Many plants were donated from homes demolished by Sea-Tac’s third runway project. Every display garden has an interesting story you won’t want to miss! 313735 24th Avenue South, SeaTac 98168; highlinegarden.org

Kruckeberg Botanic Garden

Is there a garden perfect for nature play? Yes, indeed! Look for the Woodwave sculpture in Kruckeberg Botanic Garden — it’s a tangle of branches that interweave together — and get ready to climb! Build gnome and fairy houses in the wooded area of the garden. An awesome destination, Kruckeberg contains a mixture of native and exotic plants and trees. Bring your binoculars to spot more than 40 species of birds! 320312 15th Avenue Northwest, Shoreline, 98177; kruckeberg.org

Seattle Japanese Garden

Journey through the landscapes of Japan at the Seattle Japanese Garden. where cobblestoned gravel paths encircle a central pond. Here the koi fish surface with mouths gaping and ready for a treat. Be on the lookout for blue herons and other birds that visit the park. Located within the Washington Park Arboretum, this garden is a slice of heaven. 31075 Lake Washington Boulevard East, Seattle, 98112; seattlejapanesegarden.org

Woodland Park Rose Garden

Roses are red, violets are blue, don’t miss this little garden right by the zoo! The Woodland Park Rose Garden is home to more than 3,000 roses of 200 different varieties. Follow butterflies along the maze of paths in this 2.5-acre groomed plot. Don’t miss the sensory garden, tucked away in the back corners of the park. Listen for wind chimes and explore the trail to find new plants and flowers of every season. 3750 North 50th Street, Seattle, WA 98103; zoo.org/roses

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