Meerkerk Gardens


Meerkerk Gardens, Whidbey Island, WA


It was a lovely day in mid-May 2019 when we took a spur-of-the-moment day-trip to Whidbey Island in Washington State. Lots of other people were crossing the border (probably to get cheaper gas) so it was late morning by the time we cleared the border. We were soon crossing over spectacular Deception Pass, and by the time we reached Oak Harbor, it was time for lunch. Sensing time was beginning to run out, we hurried on through the charming scenery to Meerkerk Gardens, a multi-acre property protected by tall evergreens overlooking the sea, which reminded us of Milner Gardens near Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island. Apparently the property is fully staffed by volunteers. A $5 admission fee is requested, on the honour basis.

The entrance is through a beautiful stone-built entranceway, leading to wide, well-maintained curving pathways through beds of rhododendrons, most of which are in full flower. The air is filled with the sound of bees by the million, all busily at work and far too intent on the task in hand to bother any of us visitors. Having had beekeeping experience, I can see the bees are not the usual smallish brown variety, but are quite a bit bigger, and black in colour.

We begin by dutifully following the little map of the garden picked up in the entryway, but eventually just follow our noses and wander at will. Many of the rhodos have name-tags, and the variation of flower shapes and colour of their blossoms are amazing. Many have been imported from different parts of the world and have been assembled in groupings, such as 'Asian' or 'Himalayan' or 'big-leaf.' Most of them are very mature, some as tall as fully-grown trees.

At the lower end of the garden is a sales bench where young rhodos and other plants could be purchased, but it was closed when we were there. We couldn't have bought anything anyway, since we weren't allowed to carry plants back across the border, but it was a rare day for us to visit a place like that and not come away with anything.

What a treat for the eyes! A lovely day in a lovely place.


back to main page