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Northwest Perennial Alliance

Sharing a Passion for Gardening... for 40 years!
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NPA Perennial Border

The NPA Perennial Border at Bellevue Botanical Garden is a showcase for what grows best in our Northwest gardens. It is NPA's gift to the public, to share our passion for gardening and to inspire that passion in others.

The Bellevue Botanical Garden is a top destination in the Seattle area, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, and there is no admission charge.     Learn More about BBG

The NPA Perennial Border is a featured attraction at BBG, containing hundreds of varieties of perennials, bulbs, grasses, shrubs and trees. It is maintained entirely by volunteers under the direction of NPA's Border Team, a true labor of love and commitment to our community.

Visit often, as the border changes through each season, offering year-round inspiration!     See Location Map

Get Involved at the Border!

Volunteers make a difference! The NPA Perennial Border is maintained year-round by volunteers under the direction of the NPA Perennial Border Director. 

Donate a few hours of your time
It’s a great way to gain gardening knowledge, give back to the community, and enjoy the company of other gardeners.

  • Volunteer Work Days: Monday and Thursday mornings, 9 am to noon (schedule may change due to weather)
  • Work as many hours as desired
  • NPA members and non-members are welcome to volunteer
  • Jobs for all gardening skill levels and different physical abilities
  • New volunteers are required to attend a BBG volunteer orientation. Sign up for orientation by clicking here.
  • For more information, contact the NPA Border Director at terekaulfus.npa@gmail.com

Border Weed & Feed:  3rd Thursday of each month from 9 am to 1 pm. Bring a sack lunch or food to share, work until noon in the Border, then relax and enjoy a meal and conversation with fellow volunteers.


Plant Propagation Exhibit

The Exhibit was built in 2016 to provide an education facility to grow and propagate hardy, herbaceous plants.

  • Located at the south end of the NPA Perennial Border at BBG
  • Includes a garden storage shed, fenced yard, and propagation tables
  • NPA volunteers use border plants to propagate new plants, using cuttings, division, and seed
  • Established plants are replanted in the border or sold at NPA Plant Sales 
  • Proceeds from propagated plants support the NPA Perennial Border
  • Learn More
Donate Plants to the Border
  • All healthy perennial plants are accepted
  • Drop off plants at NPA’s Plant Propagation Exhibit at BBG on Thursday mornings, March thru October, 9 am to noon
  • Donations must include a note with the botanical name (genus and species) and flower color
  • Donated plants are placed in the NPA Border or sold at NPA plant sales - proceeds benefit the Border
  • Thank you!

History

The NPA Perennial Border has been a featured attraction at the Bellevue Botanical Garden since the garden opened in 1992. Charles Price, Glenn Withey, Bob Lilly and Carrie Becker designed the original border. In 2008, a large project to incorporate stairs and paths through the Border was accomplished through a successful partnership between NPA and the Bellevue Botanical Garden, the City of Bellevue Parks Planning and Resource Management divisions, and the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society, with Price and Withey doing the Border re-design. As all gardens do, the NPA Perennial Border continues to evolve, showcasing a diverse collection of perennials, bulbs, grasses, trees, and shrubs. It is one of the largest public mixed borders in the country maintained by volunteers.

Contact NPA:   425-647-6004

info@northwestperennialalliance.org

Mailing Address:   PO Box 1034  Bellevue, WA  98009-1034

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