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CALENDAR - Events, Lectures, Classes, Workshops, & Open Gardens
2025 Open Gardens Registration
MEMBERS ONLY
Sign up to open your garden for NPA in 2025! Registering to open your garden is a 2-step process:
Step 1 - Click the REGISTER button on this page and submit your name, email address, and phone number (use the email address associated with your membership).
Step 2 - You will immediately receive an email from NPA that includes a link to a Registration Form where you fill out information about your garden and list your open dates – this form can be saved and updated as often as needed.
Registration is open year-round - but note the following deadlines:
February 28th is the registration deadline to be listed in the printed/mailed version of the Open Gardens book. The book lists gardens open from May 1st through September 30th.
Please register a minimum of 3 weeks before your open date to allow NPA time to process your registration, mail your host packet, and advertise your event.
Click HERE for more details about registering to open your garden. Or contact us if you have questions or need help completing your registration - OpenGardens@northwestperennialalliance.org
Tuesday, February 25
DIY Wire Cloche Workshop
At Bellevue Botanical Garden, Aaron Center
Level 1 class: 9:30am -11:00am
Level 2 class: 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Taught in partnership with Bellevue Botanical Garden.
Level 1: In this hands-on workshop, learn how to make the wire cloches NPA uses in the Perennial Border at Bellevue Botanical Garden to keep rabbits from eating the plants. They make great plant supports too! Once you learn wiring skills, you can make them any size and style that suits you, creating something worthy of a place in your garden. We will supply everything you need to make one medium-sized cloche and you will receive a materials list with information on suppliers and tools.
Level 2: In this hands-on workshop you will take your cloche making to the next level. Using skills learned from the Level 1 class you will have the opportunity to create a taller cloche or two medium sized cloches. Learn to stylize your garden cloches so they add interest as well as functionality to your home garden. We will supply the wire and clips. You will receive a materials list with information on suppliers and tools. Some experience is recommended.
Level 1 cost:
NPA & BBGS Members - $24.50
Non-Members - $35.00
Level 2 cost:
NPA & BBGS Members - $35.00
Non-Members - $50.00
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Growing Plants from Seed
10:30am-11:30am
Bellevue Botanical Garden, Aaron Center
Presented by Cathy Atkins
Get an early start to gardening this spring! Growing perennials from seeds saves money and you’ll have beautiful plants for your garden, as well as plants to share. Cathy Atkins, NPA Board member, will demonstrate the best way to successfully propagate plants from seed, including techniques and materials. Participants will go home with a container of planted Echinacea seeds.
We will provide all the materials you need to be successful.
NPA Members - $15.00
Non-Members - $25.00
Class is limited to 30 participants. The fee for this class is non-refundable. If cancelled by NPA, you will receive a full refund.
Friday, March 7, 2025
Garden Tool Sharpening workshop
1:00pm-2:00pm
Presented by Brian Skinner of Skinner Landscape
Brian Skinner will be instructing on proper tool maintenance and sharpening tools.
Brian taught at Edmonds college for 25 years. His courses included tools, turf and irrigation. He graduated from EDCC with degrees in landscape construction and ornamental horticulture. Brian is an ISA certified arborist and a Master Gardner.
Bring your personal hand pruners (secateurs) that could use some attention.
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Promise of Spring Lecture: Dreamy English Gardens
Presented by Justin Henderson
Bellevue Botanical Garden, Aaron Education Center and live-stream Zoom
Come along for this journey through England as Lakewold Executive Director and Lead Horticulturist, Justin Henderson, shares his experience at several of the most fabulous gardens in the UK. Be enchanted as we learn about Great Dixter, Sissinghurst, Barnsley House, Hidcote, and more. The stories of these gardens and gardeners that Justin encountered are sure to inspire and bring horticulture delight.
Justin Henderson is the Executive Director and Lead Horticulturist at Lakewold Gardens in Lakewood, WA, where he blends his deep love of plants with a vision for creating meaningful outdoor spaces. A passionate garden designer and horticulturist, Justin transforms gardens into immersive experiences that connect people with the beauty and serenity of nature.
For those attending in person, refreshments will be served starting at noon. Door prizes will be given away. A recording of the lecture will be available for registrants for 2 weeks following the event.
Join NPA for this event either in-person at Bellevue Botanical Garden or via Zoom. Please register to attend in-person or via Zoom. Walk-ins for non-registrants will be allowed up to venue seating capacity.
Attend in person for a chance to win a door prize!
Recording will be available to members and registrants through March 22, 2025.
NPA Members - FREE
Non-members - $10 (non-refundable unless canceled by NPA)
In Person at BBG: Seating limited to 150
Zoom: Registration required to receive a link to the live-stream
Sunday, March 23
Plant Sale at Bellevue Botanical Garden
10 am to 1 pm
March is a great time to buy plants from a select group of local small nurseries and specialty growers who sell an amazing collection of hard-to-find and old-time favorite perennials, shrubs, ferns, grasses and more. Your support helps these growers thrive and prosper, and in return they can grow even more special plants for our gardens!
This is a 'Farmer's Market Style' plant sale where you purchase plants directly from each seller - bring your own small wagon/cart to carry your purchases back to your car. The plant sale features plants from local growers.
Plant Vendors at this sale will be listed in the NPA e-newsletter prior to the sale.
Visit the NPA Border after shopping!
Wednesday, April 2
1 pm to 2:00 pm
Savvy Side Yard Solutions
Presented by: Rebecca Sweet
Landscape designer and author Rebecca Sweet will demonstrate how you can transform a narrow side yard or small garden into a beautiful oasis. Using before and after photos, Rebecca explains how to create a garden with a unique style and purpose.
Rebecca Sweet is the author of the national best-selling book ‘Refresh Your Garden Design with Color, Texture and Form’ and ‘Garden Up! Smart Vertical Gardening for Small and Large Spaces’. She also shares her secrets to successful garden design in her column “Harmony in the Garden” in Horticulture magazine, as well as contributing articles to many popular garden publications. In her blog, Harmony in the Garden, Rebecca shares inside information about garden design, gardening tips, amusing observations, and how-to videos for both the novice and experienced gardener.
Members - FREE
Non-members - $15 (non-refundable unless cancelled by NPA)
This is an ONLINE presentation only. You must register to receive a Zoom link to watch this event LIVE, where questions can be asked of the presenter. A RECORDING of the presentation will be available to all active NPA members and non-member registrants until April 23, 2025.
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Growing Orchids
Presented by Luis Blanco-Doring, NPA member and orchid enthusiast
Want to grow healthy, beautiful orchids and have them rebloom? Join us for this presentation explaining orchids, orchid culture and issues, and a demonstration on how to re-pot orchids. Each participant will receive an orchid from a local grower to repot during the workshop.
Please bring your scissors or pruners with you. NPA will provide all other materials. Handouts will be provided at event.
NPA Members - $25.00
Class is limited to 40 participants. The fee for this class is non-refundable. If cancelled by NPA, you will receive a full refund.
Friday, April 25, 2025
One Day - Two Exquisite Gardens
Bloedel Reserve & Heronswood welcome NPA members!
Organized by Kathleen Bullivant
An Exclusive Day with 2 Garden Tours & Lunch for NPA members and guests
Members: $ 95
Non-member guests: $ 105
Limit 2 guests per member; price includes catered box lunch.
The fee for this event is non-refundable unless cancelled by NPA.
Come for a relaxing, inspiring day out visiting these two magnificent gardens. Each garden will welcome you and your guests for a guided tour with their horticultural teams. Both tours, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, will be 2 hours long, allowing a relaxed pace and time for questions. The gardens share the same gardening principles and strive to provide a welcoming haven where people can connect with nature while strolling through natural habitats.
SCHEDULE:
9:00 – 9:30 Arrive at your first garden 9:30 – 11:30 Tour the garden 11:30 – 12:00 Travel to Lunch Hub 12:00 – 1:30 Lunch and Speaker 1:30 – 2:00 Depart for second garden 2:00 – 4:00 Tour the garden
9:00 – 9:30 Arrive at your first garden
9:30 – 11:30 Tour the garden
11:30 – 12:00 Travel to Lunch Hub
12:00 – 1:30 Lunch and Speaker
1:30 – 2:00 Depart for second garden
2:00 – 4:00 Tour the garden
BLOEDEL RESERVE – is a 145-acre garden reserve on Bainbridge Island. It was the vision of Prentice and Virginia Bloedel, built over 30 years from 1951 – 1984. The Reserve is an uplifting place to stroll in Spring. Highlights of the tour will include a visit to the Moss Garden, Japanese Garden, and the Glenn, along with some glimpses behind the scenes.
HERONSWOOD – is operated and owned by the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe. The garden began in 1987 and consists of 15 acres displaying a vast array of plants from around the world. This garden sparkles in spring as new growth emerges. Enjoy seeing plantings you would love to have in your garden!
Windcliff Nursery will have plants for sale so empty out your trunk before you travel!!
LUNCH HUB – Enjoy a scrumptious catered box lunch provided by Field and Fire at the Village Green Community Center in Kingston, along with speakers from both gardens. This 7-year-old Community Center is nestled in a park setting and has parking, outdoor seating, and modern amenities for everyone to enjoy a relaxing break. Browse some local vendor tables before leaving for your afternoon garden.
The afternoon schedule resumes with a visit to the other garden. Both gardens are an easy drive within 20 minutes of the Village Green.
Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. The deadline for registration is April 11, 2025. We will confirm by April 18th whether we are able to accommodate your selection of the preferred morning garden, or whether we have to switch you to the other one.
Up to 2 paying guests can accompany NPA members.
Extend your trip – On Saturday, local NPA members will open their gardens. More details to follow.
Sunday, April 27
Spring Plant Sale at Bellevue Botanical Garden
April is a great time to buy plants from a select group of local small nurseries and specialty growers who sell an amazing collection of hard-to-find and old-time favorite perennials, shrubs, ferns, grasses and more. Your support helps these growers thrive and prosper, and in return they can grow even more special plants for our gardens!
Plant vendors at this sale will be listed in the NPA e-newsletter prior to the sale.
This is a 'Farmer's Market Style' plant sale where you purchase plants directly from each seller - bring your own small wagon/cart to carry your purchases back to your car.
Friday August 22 - Sunday August 24
Arts in the Garden Plant Sale at Bellevue Botanical Garden
Bellevue Botanical Garden
Friday, August 22, 12-5pm
Saturday, August 23, 10am-5pm
Sunday, August 24, 10am-3pm
Join NPA at this fun-tastic event! Buy plants from NPA and help support the Perennial Border. We will offer great plants from local growers. This is our main fundraiser for purchasing new border plants - please support us by stopping by!
Click HERE for details about this event, including a list of garden art vendors.
Saturday, September 6
Fall Plant Sale at Bellevue Botanical Gardens
Fall is the perfect time to plant! Buy plants from a select group of local small nurseries and specialty growers who sell amazing perennials, shrubs, ferns, grasses and more.
This is a Farmer's Market style plant sale where you purchase plants directly from each seller - bring your own small wagon/cart.
Plant Vendors at this sale will be listed in the NPA e-newsletter prior to the sale. The plant sale features plants from local growers.
The PARKING lot is often full - but additional parking is not far away - down Main Street.
Contact NPA: 425-647-6004
info@northwestperennialalliance.org
Mailing Address: PO Box 1034 Bellevue, WA 98009-1034
