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The Bloedel Reserve consists of 150 acres on the north end of Bainbridge Island, a little over an hours
drive from Sequim. It was raining cats and dogs in Sequim and we thought of cancelling but most
decided we were tough enough to go, come what may. After the outing, members agreed that this
was one of our best garden tours ever.
The Bloedel Reserve was formerly the private estate of Virginia and Prentice Bloedel.
They purchased the property in 1951 and they stayed there for the next 30 years. Mr.
Bloedel was the heir to his father's timber business so expense was never a problem in
the development of his masterpiece. Because of the size of the garden and the complexity
of plantings, we arranged to have a guided tour. Our guide, John Van Den Meerendonk, a
botanist and landscape architect, was an original employee of the Bloedel family and made
our tour phenomenal. He is retired and now serves as a guide in the park. We learned
common and botanical names of the many striking specimen plants and trees, where they came
from, when they came to the park and information about their cultivation. One of the
highlights was to see the rare Cardiocrinum giganteum lily aka Giant Himalayan in full
bloom in the forest.
The Bloedel Reserve website describes the garden as " sweeping vistas, woodland trails,
formal gardens, and soothing water features. You’ll be amazed by the textures, and shades
of green, and color sprinkled throughout." If you missed this tour, be sure to sign up
when we go again.
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