Today, Karen and I visited the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, with the largest collection in the world, north of Tacoma, Washington. It was constructed by the Weyerhaeuser Timber Company. The gardens also feature a fantastic exhibit of champion Bonsai plants at the Pacific Bonsai Museum. The gardens, close to the Interstate 5 Freeway, were surrounded by Douglas Firs.
Many companion plants were also featured: Himalayan blue poppies, camellias, magnolias, Japanese maples, and many rare plants. Many vendors were present selling a variety of plants. We purchased two rhododendrons.
The traffic from Olympia to Tacoma was extremely congested this Saturday. We found the driving experience to be frustrating and very tiring.
