May is just about gone and, along with it, our lovely spring flowers. We’re so blessed in our corner of the world here in Western Washington to have such exuberant flora. (We’ve got the rain all winter long to thank for that.) I made what could be my last trip for the season to the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, in Federal Way. I wanted to see if there were anymore Blue Poppies still hanging around. Sadly, most of them had come and gone. There are still some rhododendrons and azaleas in bloom, but I wouldn’t wait too many more days to check them out. What I did notice a lot of were the Primulas, along with other late season blooming plants. In the Rutherford Conservatory, there are some magnificent, tropical varieties of rhododendrons currently in bloom. I even spotted some pretty orchids. I’ll start with the tropical species of rhododendrons found blooming right now in the Rutherford Conservatory. These are really big, beautiful blooms!

Here are some lovely, white orchids.

And these tiny, yellow orchids.

Now, let’s move to the outdoors. I’ll comment only if I know what the plant species is.

Illicium (Anise Tree)

Loved the way this Iris bloom was growing with the ferns!

Korean Lily species

Pink Azaleas

I found these small plants growing out of the moss. Each plant had one, tiny blossom.

Orange Azaleas

Azaleas

Azaleas

Immature Rhododendron Flowers

Pink Mountain Laurel Buds

White Mountain Laurel

Himalayan Blue Poppy

Himalayan Blue Poppy

Yellow Candelabra Primula

Korean Dogwood

Tree Climbing Hydrangea

Rodgersia pinnata – heavy, sweet fragrant floral plumes

Here is a preview of what will be blooming in the garden in June: the Giant Himalayan Lily. Already there is one stalk that is blooming. More will be on the way in a few weeks.

I hope you enjoyed my walk through the garden. On the way out (or in), just outside the garden near the parking lot, I encountered these beautiful Golden Chain blooms.

All photos copyright of Peggy A Thompson