Visiting the Bellevue Botanical Garden, Part One

The weather was a big reason I took off for my my 2-day getaway to the Seattle area—back in early October—when I did, after all being outside was the goal (not just because I love it, but because of COVID).  So since the day was sunny and dry I made sure to leave Portland early enough to eek out a stop at the Bellevue Botanical Garden...
There is something extra special about a garden like this that doesn't charge admission. I'm not knocking those that do, I understand completely why that's necessary, but for people to be able to drop by, in and out, on a whim. Well I would imagine it fosters a certain sort of familiarity with the plantings throughout the seasons.
If I lived closer I'd be visiting this is beauty every month, Daphniphyllum teijsmannii 'Mountain Dove'.
I first discovered this stunner in 2016, it's grown quite a bit since then (see that visit here).
Stepping back to get a shot from a different angle, while also admiring the Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress'...

Monster gunnera! 
And now I've worked my way over to the rock garden...
Which looks much more inspiring from a far, than it is when you're up close and personal. There is so much empty space!
I took a deep-dive this year into appreciation of Asplenium trichomanes, aka maidenhair spleenwort, these were looking quite lovely.


Looking back towards the education center.
And out into the wetland area (I think?), otherwise it's the waterwise garden, two very different things!
There was a sweet patch of Anemone 'Honorine Jobert' up near the house on the property, which acts as a coffee bar now.
That's also where you'll find this modified rill. I do love a good rill...(more tomorrow)...