Bellevue Botanical Garden

Bellevue, Washington, United States

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Bellevue Botanical Garden in Bellevue, Washington, began as a 7.5-acre property owned by Cal and Harriet Shorts, who donated it to the city in 1981 to remain a public space. The garden officially opened to the public in 1992, starting with 36 acres and expanding to 53 acres through additional land acquisitions.

It features a variety of themed gardens such as the Fuchsia Garden, Native Discovery Garden, Perennial Border, Yao Garden with Japanese influences, and the Urban Meadow, showcasing both native and exotic plants suited to the Pacific Northwest. The garden combines cultivated spaces with restored woodlands and natural wetlands, offering walking trails, educational programs, and community events.

It is maintained through partnerships with volunteer groups and horticultural societies, keeping admission free and providing a peaceful urban retreat visited by hundreds of thousands annually.