Showing posts with label Dunn Gardens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dunn Gardens. Show all posts

Qigong and Music at Dunn Gardens August 19, 2026

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Music on the Lawn
Photo courtesy Dunn Gardens

Sponsored by 4Culture and free to the public with registration:

Wednesday August 19, 2026

11am Qigong in the Gardens with Michelle - register here

Qigong practices mirror the patterns of the natural environment - aligning movement (similar in quality to Tai Ji Quan), breath, and consciousness to promote resilient vitality. Here are hundreds of Qigong forms based on the ancient traditions of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Taoism. Those offered by Michelle at Dunn Gardens are suitable for beginners as well as experienced students looking to deepen their practice. All forms may be performed in either a seated or standing position.

12 - 3pm Music on the Lawn with Third Harbour - register here

Round up your family and friends! Join us from 12pm-3pm on August 19th for an enchanting afternoon filled with toe-tapping Celtic tunes from our favorite band, Third Harbour.

Pack your picnic baskets with your favorite snacks and treats, and spread out your blankets for a leisurely afternoon feast. Savor the flavors of summer in the Gardens as you dine al fresco, accompanied by the sweet tunes of the Celtic & Irish tradition.



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Yoga at the Dunn Gardens July 9, 2026

Friday, July 3, 2026

Yoga at Dunn Gardens

Yoga in the Gardens Thursday July 9, 2026 at 6pm
Dunn Gardens 13533 Northshire Rd NW, Seattle WA 98177

Suzette has been a yoga practitioner in Seattle for over 20 years. Shaped by her initial training in the Viniyoga tradition, Suzette’s hatha teaching style takes a more gentle and therapeutic approach. 

Although she enjoys teaching all levels, her primary love is working with Women. Suzette's goal is to improve each person’s health and well being by moving in whatever way their body needs to move. 

She does this by helping students value their uniqueness by finding optimal balance between effort and ease, and taking life one moment at a time. 

Suzette is registered with Yoga Alliance at E-RYT 200, RYT 500 and RYPT 500 level.

This class is appropriate for all levels, so don’t worry if you can’t put your toe in your ear! Please bring your own yoga mat and any other items you need (towel, blocks, bolster, etc.)

This is a pay what you can event, with all donations going to the operating budget of Dunn Gardens.



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Dunn Gardens Books with Beth June 23, 2026

Saturday, June 13, 2026

Photo courtesy Dunn Gardens
Dunn Gardens

Books with Beth
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 12:30pm
Pay-what-you-can with a suggested donation of $10.

Join us for a warm, welcoming afternoon as we celebrate the return of our dear friend and former Dunn Gardens Executive Director, Beth Weir, visiting from New Zealand.

Beth will read from her newly published book, One Move, One Mouse, One Marriage, a heartfelt and humorous reflection on life’s unexpected turns, and invite guests to share a favorite book of their own—sparking conversation, connection, and plenty of great recommendations.

She’ll be joined by two fellow writing friends, Laura C. Lippman, sharing poems from The Catastrophist’s Daughter, and Wanda J. Herndon, author of Working Class to Breaking Glass: One Woman’s Fight to Belong and to Lead.

We’ll sip tea and wine, enjoy a few cookies, and settle into the beauty of Dunn Gardens—perhaps even outdoors, if the weather cooperates.

To sweeten the afternoon, Beth is offering a book raffle!

Come for the stories, stay for the community.

Register here


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Dunn Gardens: Tails on Trails and Music on the Lawn June 17, 2026

Friday, June 12, 2026

Photo courtesy Dunn Gardens

Dunn Gardens
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
  • Tails on Trails 9am - 4pm
  • Music on the Lawn 12 - 3pm
 
Get ready for a tail-wagging good time at Dunn Gardens! For the very first time ever, we’re opening the Gardens to our four-legged friends for Tails on the Trails—paired with a lively afternoon of Celtic music from our favorite band, Third Harbour, who will perform from 12-3pm.

Leash up your pup, pack a picnic, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon wandering the trails, lounging on the lawn, and soaking in the beauty of the Gardens alongside toe-tapping Celtic and Irish tunes.

As this is a special one-day-only dog-friendly event, we kindly ask that all dogs remain on leash and that owners clean up after their pets.

Grab your family, friends, blankets, and baskets, and join us for a paws-itively unforgettable summer afternoon!

This is a pay-what-you-can event, with a suggested donation of $10. We believe everyone should have access to the Gardens—please give what you’re able, and know that your support helps sustain inclusive programming and ongoing stewardship of the Gardens.

Register here


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Trees of Dunn Gardens with Taha Ebrahimi May 23, 2026

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Taha Ebrahimi
Trees of Dunn Gardens 
with Taha Ebrahimi
May 23, 2026 at 2pm
Dunn Gardens
Purchase tickets here

Trees are interconnected with our cultural histories and Seattle happens to have one of the most diverse street tree programs in the country -- double the diversity of the East Coast, and triple the diversity of the Midwest.

Join Taha Ebrahimi, author and illustrator of Street Trees of Seattle: An Illustrated Walking Guide, for a brief talk about the city's history as told through some of its notable street trees, followed by a walk through the garden to visit a few of the notable trees.

Taha is the author and illustrator of Street Trees of Seattle: An Illustrated Walking Guide (Sasquatch Books, 2024). She serves as a member of the council for Historic Seattle and has been named “Seattle’s Coolest Street Tree Expert” by The Stranger.


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Plant Rummage Sale at Dunn Gardens April 24-25, 2026

Wednesday, April 22, 2026


Join us for a special Plant Rummage Sale at the Gardens!

Dunn Gardens, 13533 Northshire Rd NW, Seattle, WA 98177

Dates & Times:
  • Friday, April 24, 2026 from 9:00am – 4:00pm
  • Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 10:00am – 2:00pm

We’re opening up our plant nursery and offering a selection of plants at bargain prices—there truly is something for everyone! Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, this is a great opportunity to discover something new for your space.

What to Know Before You Come

Please bring boxes or containers to help transport your plants. Staff and volunteers will be available on-site to assist with purchases and loading. Come early for the best selection and enjoy this unique opportunity to grow your garden while supporting Dunn Gardens. We look forward to seeing you there!

More information at Dunn Gardens


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Poetry reading at Dunn Gardens March 18, 2026

Saturday, March 14, 2026

Cozy up with a cup of tea for a late winter poetry reading in Ed’s Cottage on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 from 1-2pm. 

We’ll have a fire in the dining room, tea brewing, and sweet treats to enjoy while listening to the poems of Mary Pinard. 

Come early or stay late to see early signs of spring in the Gardens. 

Poet Mary Pinard is visiting from Boston, where she regularly visits Olmsted parks in the area.

Mary Pinard is the author of two books of poetry, Portal (2014), and Ghost Heart (2022), which won the 2021 Ex Ophidia Press Prize for Poetry. 

Her play, Heart/Roots County, was published by Volland Press during the summer of 2022. Over the last 15 years, she has collaborated with several visual artists and musicians in the Boston area, where her poems have been variously 
  • incised in glass (“Fragment House,” Slocum River Reserve, Dartmouth, MA), 
  • shaped in wire (“Lineage,” Old Frog Pond Farm, Harvard, MA), 
  • adhered to an exhibit wall (“Breaking Prairie,” Hollister Gallery, Babson College), and 
  • set to music (“On the Wing: A Celebration of Birds in Words and Music,” performed at several New England venues).

She teaches literature and poetry courses in the Arts & Humanities Division at Babson College, where she has been a member of the faculty since 1990. She was born and raised in Seattle. For more information visit her website  Copies of Mary's books will be available for purchase at the event (cash preferred)

Dunn Gardens 13533 Northshire Rd, Seattle WA 98177



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Back by Popular Demand—A Rare Summer Stroll through The Highlands

Thursday, June 26, 2025

On The Highlands garden tour

Our May Highlands Garden Tour sold out in just 20 minutes—with a waitlist 30 names long! Due to overwhelming enthusiasm, acclaimed gardener and author Tim Clemen has generously offered an encore tour of three spectacular, private estate gardens in The Highlands—lush, park-like spaces rarely open to the public.

Join us Saturday, July 12, 2025 for this very special fundraising event in support of Dunn Gardens. Guests will travel in comfort by motor coach from Dunn Gardens to The Highlands—no driving or parking required! After the tour, enjoy an al fresco lunch in the Gardens, surrounded by summer blooms and fellow garden enthusiasts.

Each of these estate gardens is lovingly maintained by Tim’s Gardening, LLC, and Tim himself will lead this unforgettable journey. Dunn Gardens is honored and grateful for his continued support of our mission.

Please note: The tour includes stairs, inclines, and uneven ground. Sturdy footwear is highly recommended.

Space is extremely limited and sure to go quickly—reserve your spot before it disappears like a summer breeze!

The Gardens we will visit..

The Robinson Estate:
The approach to this Olmsted-inspired landscape winds through towering trees and wide lawns, leading to a peaceful French Colonial home framed by hydrangeas and a riot of begonias. The gardens and hardscapes have recently been refreshed by the Nussbaum Group, blending timeless design with thoughtful, modern touches.

Torrance Estate:
Located on Highland Lane, the estate was designed by Charles Adams Platt and constructed in 1946. It was remodeled in 2005 when the Torrance’s reimagined the original gardens to include contemplative spaces and areas for entertaining. 

We’ll enter the estate along a lane curving through soaring redwood trees to the pond at the center of the circle drive where goldfish the size of koi might surface under the fountain. The formal entry is garlanded by Japanese Wisteria that run the length of the slate roof line to the herb and rose gardens and garage. 

Passing through the breezeway to the view side, we’ll witness the row of closely canopied London plane trees adjacent to the lawn, and the glorious views of the sea and mountains. We’ll conclude the stroll through the Buddha garden featuring mop-head hydrangeas, and pathways to the pool, the orchard, and back to the redwoods.

The Predmore Estate:
Designed by Arthur Erickson, this was originally the home of art patron, Virginia Bagley Wright, and is a landmark of Seattle Brutalism in architecture. The garden has been reimagined by landscape architect, Darwin Webb. It is a symphony of native plants, ornamentals, and heritage trees with territorial views and a lookout from the terrace and infinity pool to the sea.

Purchase tickets here


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č̓alq̓ʷadiʔ Duwamish Native Plant Trail Grand Opening May 17, 2025

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

č̓alq̓ʷadiʔ Duwamish Native Plant Trail Grand Opening May 17, 2025 from 12- 4pm


Blackcap raspberry
Just One Week Away! RSVP Now for the Opening of the č̓alq̓ʷadiʔ Duwamish Native Plant Trail.

We’ve been building toward this moment for over two years—and Opening Day is almost here!

Join us on Saturday, May 17 for the official unveiling of the č̓alq̓ʷadiʔ Duwamish Native Plant Trail at Dunn Gardens. 

Duwamish baskets
This new interpretive trail honors the legacy of the Duwamish people and follows a historic route once used to travel between Bitter Lake and Puget Sound. 

Along the way, native plants are labeled in Lushootseed, common, and scientific names—each chosen for its cultural and ecological importance.

This is more than a walk through the garden—it’s a walk through history.

Storyteller Roger Fernandez
You’re invited to make it your own:
  • Pack a picnic and relax with live music and storytelling.
  • Stroll the trail at your own pace or join a docent-led tour.
  • Enjoy family-friendly activities throughout the afternoon.
The rhodies will be in bloom, the air will smell like spring, and the Gardens will be alive with celebration.

RSVP today and follow the link for full details.

Don't miss this unforgettable moment in the life of Dunn Gardens.


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Folktales at Dunn Gardens June 1, 2025

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Eva Abram, Storyteller

The Seattle Storytelling Guild Presents
Folktales at Dunn Gardens
Featuring Storyteller Eva Abram
with an afternoon of stories in the beautiful Dunn Gardens

On Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 2 - 3pm
Adults and children, age six and above
are invited to stroll in "imaginary gardens"
as Eva shares stories fit for this natural setting.

Is a rose by any other name still a rose?
Will the problem of dreaded weeds be solved?
Anything can happen in stories!

Historic Dunn Gardens is located in Northwest Seattle in the Broadview neighborhood.
It is accessible by entering the Northshire Rd NW loop via NW 137th Ave.

Cost: $12 per adult $6 for children ages 6 - 12
Please Purchase tickets at the event

These lovely seven acre gardens were designed by the Olmsted Brothers in 1915.

Their vision of the Gardens as a place of timeless grace has been realized with luscious Northwest native plants, meandering paths, and a peek-a-boo view of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains

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č̓alq̓ʷadiʔ Duwamish Native Plant Trail Grand Opening at Dunn Gardens May 17, 2025

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Ravine Trail
Photo courtesy Dunn Gardens
č̓alq̓ʷadiʔ Duwamish Native Plant Trail Grand Opening
Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 12-4pm

Be part of something extraordinary. After more than two years of research into Dunn Gardens’ pre-Olmsted history, we are thrilled to share a story that reaches far beyond the flowers.

On Saturday, May 17, we invite you to join us for an afternoon of culture, community, and connection as we unveil the č̓alq̓ʷadiʔ Duwamish Native Plant Trail—a tribute to part of the path once used by the Duwamish people to travel from Bitter Lake to Puget Sound. 

You'll find native plants along the trail labeled with their Lushootseed, common, and scientific names—each one carrying a story of healing, nourishment, and meaning.

Spring will be in full swing! The rhodies will be in full bloom, and the Gardens will be bursting with color—a perfect backdrop for this celebration of ecological and cultural heritage. Bring a picnic and plan to stay for the afternoon!"

Event Highlights:

A Native American storyteller
Docent-led tours of the new interpretive trail
Go Natives! plant sale featuring locally grown native plants
Live music
A foraging table with springtime tastes, including nettle tea
Display of Native American baskets and weaving traditions
Interactive family-friendly activities and surprise guests

Come walk a trail rich with history—and celebrate the return of spring in one of Seattle’s most beautiful gardens.

Purchase tickets here


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Dunn Gardens Snowdrop Stroll

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Photo courtesy Dunn Gardens

Dunn Gardens will hold a Snowdrop Stroll on Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 12 - 3pm.

The gardens are located at 13533 Northshire RD NW Seattle, WA

Purchase tickets here 



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Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee at Dunn Gardens October 25-26, 2024

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee" at Dunn Gardens
October 25 & 26, 2024 from 6-8:30pm
Cost: 
  • Members: $8, 
  • Not-yet-members & 
  • friends of members: $13, 
  • Kids under 3yrs: free

Prepare yourself for a chilling nighttime adventure as you wander through rustling autumn leaves and eerie whispers in the wind. Feel the thrill of the unknown as the lights guide you along Ed's Woodland Path, where shadows dance and ghostly figures may just catch your eye. 

Venture into our enchanted glen, aglow with Jack O' Lanterns, each carved with a tale of its own. You never know what spine-tingling surprises await around every corner...

Event Highlights:
  • Children's Storytime: Gather ‘round for spooky tales that will delight and fright!
  • Coloring Station: Unleash your creativity with ghostly designs and ghoulish colors.
  • Haunted Path: Dare to tread the haunted trail where every rustle could be a restless spirit!
  • Bonfire with Hot Apple Cider and Wine: Warm your bones by the fire as the chill of October night surrounds you.
  • S'mores by the Fire: Toast marshmallows for a sweet treat amidst the spooky atmosphere.
Costumes are highly encouraged! Whether you’re a fearsome ghost, a whimsical witch, or something delightfully bizarre, we can’t wait to see your spooky creations!"

Dunn Gardens is located at 13533 Northshire Rd NW, Seattle WA 98177


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Dunn Gardens Plant Rummage Sale September 12, 2024

Friday, September 6, 2024

Dunn Gardens Plant Rummage Sale!
September 12, 2024 @ 9:00am

Get ready for fall planting season at the Dunn Gardens Plant Rummage Sale.

Explore our plant sales area and plant nursery—you never know what treasures you might find!
  • Dig-your-own large shrubs and perennials from our lathe house. The Gardens will have all the gardening tools you will need.
  • Explore a varied collection of plants including, but not limited to:
    • Rhododendrons
    • Hydrangeas
    • Young trees and woody shrubs
    • Native plants
    • Evergreen and herbaceous perennials
  • Bags of Dunn Gardens homemade leaf mulch for sale (limited supplies).
You don’t want to miss it!
  • Thursday, September 12th from 9am – 6pm
  • Friday, September 13th from 9am – 6pm
  • Saturday, September 14th from 9:30am – 1:30pm


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Dunn Gardens offers class in making salves and balms

Friday, August 23, 2024

Salves & Balms
Monday, August 26, 2024 @ 4pm - 5:30pm

Making herbal crafts is a fun and easy hobby to dive into. In this workshop, you will learn how to make herbal salves and balms, using commonly available garden herbs. 

A few herbs we will be using include Calendula, Comfrey, and St. John's wort. Participants will leave with the tools to create their own herbal ointments, and become familiar with ways to incorporate them into their daily lives. 

Class fee includes an herbal salve and lip balms to take home. We will also be serving a refreshing summer beverage.

Heidi Koonz has been a horticulturist at the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden for 21 years, and began her herbal studies around that same time, completing an herbal apprenticeship in 2002. 

Since then, she has been avidly making herbal oils, tinctures, teas, balms, salves, and other herbal crafts, either for gifts, or to sell. She has also been teaching students these fun, and useful skills for over 10 years.

Dunn Gardens is located at 13533 Northshire Road NW, Seattle WA 98177



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Music in the Gardens

Monday, June 10, 2024

 



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"To Be Among The Trees - An Arboreal Poetry Workshop" at Dunn Gardens

Sunday, April 21, 2024

Photo courtesy Dunn Gardens

"To Be Among The Trees-An Arboreal Poetry Workshop"
Saturday, May 11, 2024 @3pm
Cost: Members- $10 | Not-Yet-Members- $15

Come write, inspired by trees in spring glory on the beautiful grounds of Dunn Gardens. We will turn our attention to our green companions through listening to arboreal poems and engaging in practices to open our perception. 

Time will be given to contemplate and write in response to a tree of your choice, with simple poetic forms to write into. We will end by celebrating together in honoring, through our words, the sensuous details and beauty of the trees that surround us.
 
To Be Among Trees, for seasoned or beginning writers alike, will take place in Dunn Gardens, a beautiful oasis in North Seattle with over 70 Heritage trees. We will meet outside (with access to bathrooms) and spend time writing in the gardens. A canopy will be provided in case of rain. A small break is included. Please bring a snack and drink for yourself.
 
Mary Oak is passionate about using writing as a way to honor our embeddedness within the living Earth. For over 20 years she has enjoyed leading students in awakening perception, sensuous engagement, and heart awareness in relation to the plant kingdom in Waldorf teacher training, through her home studio and in her Sacred Botany: Revisioning the Plant Kingdom classes at Antioch University. 

For more about Mary and her writing and teaching please look here.


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Seed Starting with Michelle Rau at Dunn Gardens April 13, 2024

Tuesday, March 26, 2024


"Propagation 101: Seed Starting with Michelle Rau"

Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 1 - 3pm at Dunn Gardens 13533 Northshire RD NW Seattle, WA 98177

In this class we will discuss what needs to be considered when starting your own plants from seed. From vegetables and flowers to woody plants, we will cover the basics to get growing on your own. Learn about the materials best used, how to source seeds and time sowing to get the best results.

There will be a variety of seeds to choose from, with basic materials that you’ll need to step out and grow a beautiful garden. In this class you will have the chance to sow your own seeds, take them home and watch them grow!

Our instructor for this class is Michelle Rau. She is a horticultural educator, plant nerd, and all-around hoot. With 10 years of experience in horticulture, she offers a unique perspective on plants, and how to identify and care for them. She is a Certified Professional Horticulturist, ISA Certified Arborist, and Associate Faculty Member at Edmonds College."

Register here
Members $35 | Not-Yet-Members $45


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Spring Preview Stroll at Dunn Gardens March 16, 2024

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Mushie felt - artwork by Heather Talbot
Spring Preview Stroll at Dunn Gardens 13533 Northshire Rd NW, Seattle, WA 98177

Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 12pm - 3pm

Cost: 
Members- $5, 
Not-Yet-Members & Friends of Members- $10

Maybe you’ve noticed? Blooms are bursting on the scene, days are a little longer, and it seems like everyone is out in their yards. Perfect timing for the annual Spring Preview Stroll! 

This year special guest artist, Heather Talbot, will have several of her intricate works of needle felt on display – you will be blown away by the painstaking accuracy of the felted fungi.
  • Mini-tours by our fabulous volunteer docents
  • Plant sale including ornamental spring containers
  • Cards and artwork for sale by Robin Maynard Dobbs
  • Wine and hot tea
  • The Horticulturist Is In advice booth
  • Renew your membership at the stroll and be entered into a raffle with fabulous prizes!
We will be conducting timed entries for this event. Please pick the time you would like to attend the event. Once you choose, you are able to arrive within that 90-minute window but stay as long as you would like!"

Register here


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Snowdrop Stroll at Dunn Gardens February 24, 2024

Tuesday, February 20, 2024


Snowdrop Stroll, February 24, 2024 from Noon - 3pm at Dunn Gardens 13533 Northshire Rd NW, Seattle, WA 98177

Cost: 
  • Members $5
  • Not-Yet-Members $10

When most of Seattle is celebrating the 50 shades of Seattle gray, Dunn Gardens is alive with color. 

Come walk the paths and discover the beauty of vibrant blooms hidden amongst a winter backdrop.

There will be live music by Third Harbour, our knowledgeable docents available to answer questions, beverages, a fire, and light snacks. Snowdrops and other plants will be for sale.

To ensure that everyone can enjoy themselves at the stroll, we will be conducting timed entries.


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