The roots of the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden start in a private garden nearly lost to urban sprawl and the expansion of the SeaTac Airport.
Elda Behm had a deep passion for gardening, and in 1954 started to build a garden at her home near 159th and Des Moines Memorial Drive. Over the next few decades, the garden took shape and flourished only to be threatened by progress.
In the late 1990’s the SeaTac Airport announced the addition of a third runway. This runway would obliterate all of her years of work.
The Community Saves Elda’s Garden
In the face of imminent destruction, the community rallied together and on July 27th 1999, the SeaTac City Council authorized the construction of a new botanical garden to rehome Elda’s plants to.
The project took the help of over 200 volunteers and six months of work, but the majority of Elda’s prized garden was successfully moved to the present location across from the North SeaTac Community Center.
There is an excellent informational plaque in the garden with more detail on Elda and her garden that I highly suggest you stop and read while you are there. Alternatively, you can check out the full text on the Historical Marker Database.
The Garden Continues To Grow
In the decades since the garden was started, several additions have been made to it, and there are plans for even more expansion in the future.
Now in addition to Elda’s original plants, several other planting areas have been established, including shade plants, an Iris garden, as well as a fuchsia garden, and a community pea patch.
One Garden Many Landscapes
A walk through the SeaTac Botanical Garden is a way to see many different types of gardens. You can find peace in the Seike Japanese Garden. This garden is well made, representing balance and harmony. Footbridges go over calm ponds. Neatly trimmed trees and bushes help create a quiet space for thought.
Elda Behm’s Paradise Garden
Next, you can visit Elda Behm’s Paradise Garden, which shows one woman’s love for plants. This playful garden surprises you with unique colors and textures, showing Behm’s creative way of gardening. You can wander through bright flower displays, explore hidden paths, and learn about this important gardener’s story.
Celebration Rose Garden
For a lovely experience, walk through the Celebration Rose Garden. This garden is full of wonderful smells and has many types of roses. The sweet scent of these flowers is everywhere, and their bright colors are a sight to see. From classic hybrid teas to beautiful David Austin roses, this garden shows the timeless charm of roses.
Woodland Shade Garden
The Woodland Shade Garden at the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is a tranquil and lush area, designed to showcase plants that thrive in shaded environments. Encompassing over 10,000 square feet, this garden was established in the early 2000s with the help of a group of Highline High School seniors. It is situated next to the Paradise Garden and features a diverse array of shade-loving plants, including various ferns, hostas, and woodland perennials that create a serene and green retreat for visitors.
The garden’s design emphasizes the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest’s forest understory, providing a habitat for native species and a peaceful place for contemplation. Future plans for this area include a pond restoration project and the addition of an amphitheater, enhancing its appeal and functionality for community events and educational programs.
The maintenance of the Woodland Shade Garden is overseen by dedicated volunteers from the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, who ensure that the garden remains a well-kept sanctuary for both plants and visitors.
Daylily Garden
The Daylily Garden at the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is a splendid showcase of one of nature’s most versatile and resilient flowers. This garden, meticulously maintained by the Puget Sound Daylily Club, offers visitors a vibrant display of daylilies that bloom from mid-June through the end of July.
Iris Garden
The Iris Garden at Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is a vibrant and colorful display that showcases a diverse range of irises, from both newer varieties to classic favorites. This garden is designed to highlight the adaptability and beauty of irises that thrive in the local climate, blooming primarily from late April through June.
The King County Iris Society, an active community group of dedicated gardeners, is responsible for maintaining this beautiful section of the garden. Their expertise and commitment ensure that the Iris Garden remains a stunning and educational display for visitors. The society supports the garden by providing ongoing care and introducing various iris species that can be enjoyed by both enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
The Iris Garden not only adds to the aesthetic appeal of the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden but also serves as a living library of iris varieties, contributing to the educational mission of the garden.
The Fuchsia Garden
The Fuchsia Garden at Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is a vibrant showcase of the stunning variety within the fuchsia genus. Maintained by the Western Species Fuchsia Society and the Puget Sound Fuchsia Society.
The garden features both common and rare fuchsia varieties, ranging from trailing vines perfect for hanging baskets to bushy shrubs that can reach up to eight feet tall. The design of the garden allows visitors to experience the full spectrum of fuchsia forms, with each plant’s unique pendulous flowers providing a stunning visual display from late spring through fall.
The Sensory Garden
Located across the parking lot from the garden proper, the sensory garden features a vine covered tunnel, as well as an array of plants for experiencing and interacting with.
Maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers and staff, the Sensory Garden is a testament to the community’s commitment to creating a welcoming and enriching environment for all visitors. This unique garden is an integral part of the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, offering a truly multi-sensory experience that fosters a deeper connection with nature.
The Pea Patch Garden
The Pea Patch area at Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is a community-driven space where locals can grow their own vegetables and flowers.
Established in 2009 to foster community involvement and sustainable gardening practices, the Pea Patch offers a unique opportunity for residents to engage in urban gardening. This area is maintained by dedicated volunteers who contribute numerous hours each year to ensure its upkeep and success.
It stands as a testament to the garden’s mission of connecting the community to nature and promoting environmental stewardship
The Seike Japanese Garden
The Seike Japanese Garden was added to the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden in 2011. Originally built as a memorial to Toll Seike, it truly is a garden within a garden.
The backstory on the Seike family, their sacrifices, the construction of this garden as a memorial to Toll who died in WWII, and its eventual rescue and move to the Highline Botanical Garden is fascinating and a whole story unto itself.
I highly suggest you check out this article on the Seike Garden, with lots of detail on the family, and the history of the garden.
Final Thoughts On The SeaTac Highline Botanical Garden
The Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is a hidden treat that any flower lover should absolutely visit. Do be aware that it is in the the SeaTac Airport flight path, with planes taking off frequently. So, while the garden is beautiful, it is not quiet in the least.
The paths are not all paved, but are well maintained and easy to navigate. While the whole park measures almost 11 acres, only a portion of it is developed into a garden, so unless you decide to stop and soak it all in, it doesn’t take that long to do a tour of the grounds and check out what is in bloom.
My best suggestion for seeing this park, is giving this garden a visit in a couple of different seasons. Since the plants are all in bloom at different times of the year, that will give you a full picture of just how many types of flowers are here.
In any case, this garden is worth a visit if you are in the SeaTac area and have an hour, or less, to spare.
A Secret Garden Awaits: Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden
A Garden Nearly Lost To Progress
The roots of the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden start in a private garden nearly lost to urban sprawl and the expansion of the SeaTac Airport.
Elda Behm had a deep passion for gardening, and in 1954 started to build a garden at her home near 159th and Des Moines Memorial Drive. Over the next few decades, the garden took shape and flourished only to be threatened by progress.
In the late 1990’s the SeaTac Airport announced the addition of a third runway. This runway would obliterate all of her years of work.
The Community Saves Elda’s Garden
In the face of imminent destruction, the community rallied together and on July 27th 1999, the SeaTac City Council authorized the construction of a new botanical garden to rehome Elda’s plants to.
The project took the help of over 200 volunteers and six months of work, but the majority of Elda’s prized garden was successfully moved to the present location across from the North SeaTac Community Center.
There is an excellent informational plaque in the garden with more detail on Elda and her garden that I highly suggest you stop and read while you are there. Alternatively, you can check out the full text on the Historical Marker Database.
The Garden Continues To Grow
In the decades since the garden was started, several additions have been made to it, and there are plans for even more expansion in the future.
Now in addition to Elda’s original plants, several other planting areas have been established, including shade plants, an Iris garden, as well as a fuchsia garden, and a community pea patch.
One Garden Many Landscapes
A walk through the SeaTac Botanical Garden is a way to see many different types of gardens. You can find peace in the Seike Japanese Garden. This garden is well made, representing balance and harmony. Footbridges go over calm ponds. Neatly trimmed trees and bushes help create a quiet space for thought.
Elda Behm’s Paradise Garden
Next, you can visit Elda Behm’s Paradise Garden, which shows one woman’s love for plants. This playful garden surprises you with unique colors and textures, showing Behm’s creative way of gardening. You can wander through bright flower displays, explore hidden paths, and learn about this important gardener’s story.
Celebration Rose Garden
For a lovely experience, walk through the Celebration Rose Garden. This garden is full of wonderful smells and has many types of roses. The sweet scent of these flowers is everywhere, and their bright colors are a sight to see. From classic hybrid teas to beautiful David Austin roses, this garden shows the timeless charm of roses.
Woodland Shade Garden
The Woodland Shade Garden at the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is a tranquil and lush area, designed to showcase plants that thrive in shaded environments. Encompassing over 10,000 square feet, this garden was established in the early 2000s with the help of a group of Highline High School seniors. It is situated next to the Paradise Garden and features a diverse array of shade-loving plants, including various ferns, hostas, and woodland perennials that create a serene and green retreat for visitors.
The garden’s design emphasizes the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest’s forest understory, providing a habitat for native species and a peaceful place for contemplation. Future plans for this area include a pond restoration project and the addition of an amphitheater, enhancing its appeal and functionality for community events and educational programs.
The maintenance of the Woodland Shade Garden is overseen by dedicated volunteers from the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, who ensure that the garden remains a well-kept sanctuary for both plants and visitors.
Daylily Garden
The Daylily Garden at the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is a splendid showcase of one of nature’s most versatile and resilient flowers. This garden, meticulously maintained by the Puget Sound Daylily Club, offers visitors a vibrant display of daylilies that bloom from mid-June through the end of July.
Iris Garden
The Iris Garden at Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is a vibrant and colorful display that showcases a diverse range of irises, from both newer varieties to classic favorites. This garden is designed to highlight the adaptability and beauty of irises that thrive in the local climate, blooming primarily from late April through June.
The King County Iris Society, an active community group of dedicated gardeners, is responsible for maintaining this beautiful section of the garden. Their expertise and commitment ensure that the Iris Garden remains a stunning and educational display for visitors. The society supports the garden by providing ongoing care and introducing various iris species that can be enjoyed by both enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
The Iris Garden not only adds to the aesthetic appeal of the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden but also serves as a living library of iris varieties, contributing to the educational mission of the garden.
The Fuchsia Garden
The Fuchsia Garden at Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is a vibrant showcase of the stunning variety within the fuchsia genus. Maintained by the Western Species Fuchsia Society and the Puget Sound Fuchsia Society.
The garden features both common and rare fuchsia varieties, ranging from trailing vines perfect for hanging baskets to bushy shrubs that can reach up to eight feet tall. The design of the garden allows visitors to experience the full spectrum of fuchsia forms, with each plant’s unique pendulous flowers providing a stunning visual display from late spring through fall.
The Sensory Garden
Located across the parking lot from the garden proper, the sensory garden features a vine covered tunnel, as well as an array of plants for experiencing and interacting with.
Maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers and staff, the Sensory Garden is a testament to the community’s commitment to creating a welcoming and enriching environment for all visitors. This unique garden is an integral part of the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, offering a truly multi-sensory experience that fosters a deeper connection with nature.
The Pea Patch Garden
The Pea Patch area at Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is a community-driven space where locals can grow their own vegetables and flowers.
Established in 2009 to foster community involvement and sustainable gardening practices, the Pea Patch offers a unique opportunity for residents to engage in urban gardening. This area is maintained by dedicated volunteers who contribute numerous hours each year to ensure its upkeep and success.
It stands as a testament to the garden’s mission of connecting the community to nature and promoting environmental stewardship
The Seike Japanese Garden
The Seike Japanese Garden was added to the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden in 2011. Originally built as a memorial to Toll Seike, it truly is a garden within a garden.
The backstory on the Seike family, their sacrifices, the construction of this garden as a memorial to Toll who died in WWII, and its eventual rescue and move to the Highline Botanical Garden is fascinating and a whole story unto itself.
I highly suggest you check out this article on the Seike Garden, with lots of detail on the family, and the history of the garden.
Final Thoughts On The SeaTac Highline Botanical Garden
The Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is a hidden treat that any flower lover should absolutely visit. Do be aware that it is in the the SeaTac Airport flight path, with planes taking off frequently. So, while the garden is beautiful, it is not quiet in the least.
The paths are not all paved, but are well maintained and easy to navigate. While the whole park measures almost 11 acres, only a portion of it is developed into a garden, so unless you decide to stop and soak it all in, it doesn’t take that long to do a tour of the grounds and check out what is in bloom.
My best suggestion for seeing this park, is giving this garden a visit in a couple of different seasons. Since the plants are all in bloom at different times of the year, that will give you a full picture of just how many types of flowers are here.
In any case, this garden is worth a visit if you are in the SeaTac area and have an hour, or less, to spare.
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