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Seattle, Washington / Parks and outdoors

Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden

A serene 7-acre English estate-style botanical garden located on the grounds of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, featuring over 570 plant species from across the globe.

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Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden
alans1948, CC BY 2.0

Where is the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden located?

The garden is a 7-acre site located on the grounds of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks at 3015 NW 54th Street, Seattle, Washington.

What are the hours for the garden?

The garden is open year-round from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

What is the garden known for?

It is known as an English estate-style garden featuring romantic landscape design with over 570 species and 1,500 varieties of plants from around the world.

Can I have a picnic or attend events there?

Yes, visitors can picnic at the garden and attend free events, such as the popular Summer Concert Series.

What is the history of the garden?

The garden was created by Carl S. English Jr., who was hired by the Army Corps in 1931. Over more than 40 years, he transformed a graveled area and post-construction lawn into the current English estate-style garden.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

The Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden is a 7-acre sanctuary of horticultural splendor located on the grounds of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle. The garden's transformation began in 1931 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hired Carl S. English Jr., a skilled botanist and horticulturist. Over the course of 43 years, English transformed a simple graveled area and post-construction lawn into a romantic English estate-style garden that serves as a tribute to his lifelong devotion to botany. This botanical masterpiece combines elegant lines and vistas of the romantic English landscape style with a vast array of plant life. The grounds boast more than 570 species and 1,500 varieties of plants, including exotic species from Thailand, China, Japan, South America, and New Zealand. Many of these plants were grown from seeds, showcasing the global reach of English's botanical curiosity. Visitors can explore the open spaces and enjoy the fragrance and color of the blooms year-round. The garden provides a peaceful retreat from the city, where guests can stroll, relax, and enjoy a picnic lunch. For those visiting during the summer, the popular Summer Concert Series offers a free event that blends nature and music in this tranquil environment.

Visitor tips

  • The garden is open year-round from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., making it a great spot for early morning or late evening strolls.
  • Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the open spaces of the garden.
  • Check for free events like the Summer Concert Series if you are visiting during the summer months.

Nearby context

The garden is situated on the grounds of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, a major Seattle attraction where vessels move between Puget Sound and Lake Washington.

Sources

Evidence and links