For a century, Seattle Pacific University has called the north slope of Queen Anne Hill home. Here the campus has grown into a true horticulture paradise just minutes from downtown Seattle. Well-maintained sidewalks and beckoning pathways make campus garden walks interesting and accessible. On the day of the Garden Tour, join SPU head gardener Jeff Daley, for hourly guided tours of SPU’s award-winning campus gardens and arboretum. Here are a few highlights:

The Rose Garden
Located at the far west end of Tiffany Loop, the Rose Garden was planted shortly after the turn of the century and boasts several varieties of hybrid tea roses. Over the years the Rose Garden has found a place in the hearts of University presidents, faculty, and staff — many have even given the garden their personal care and attention.

Tiffany Loop
The lower portion of campus encompassing Tiffany Loop provides a beautiful, park-like setting surrounded by tall canopy trees and classic brick architecture. Wander the grounds and you can’t help but feel a sense of history and longevity. Tiffany Loop is also home to several of SPU’s tallest trees — elm, oak, Norway maple, sycamore maple, horse chestnut, and bolleana poplar, which is the largest of its species in Seattle. Many of these trees have appeared in Arthur Lee Jacobson’s book, Trees of Seattle.

Alexander Perennial Border
The University’s oldest structure, Alexander Hall, was built in 1893 and serves as the perfect backdrop for an elegant, yet relaxed perennial border. Here hostas and ferns form a grand tapestry in the shade, not far from sun-loving perennials such as irises, dahlias, and asters. Walk the perimeter of Alexander for a stunning show.

Weter Courtyard Ornamental Grass Garden
An oasis of beauty and calm, the courtyard garden adjoining Weter Hall features ornamental grasses in shades of metallic blues, coppery browns, and a multitude of greens. Linger in this garden and leave with a private, reflective mood.

The Butterfly Garden
Bursting with color, this new campus garden brims with butterfly-friendly nectar plants that attract several varieties of butterflies to this sunny area of campus.

Martin Square
Designed to convey the rippling effect of a pebble tossed into a pond, the pavers in the center of Martin Square expand in a circular formation. All of the large planters are packed with colorful annuals for a seasonal splash of color. Martin Square, named for the University’s seventh president, provides a tranquil location for informal gatherings, study, and simple enjoyment.

The Science Building Greenhouse
One of the most high-tech of its kind on the West Coast, the University’s new Science Building greenhouse provides space for student biological and horticultural research projects. Situated on the building’s top floor, proper climate conditions for the facility’s diverse plant varieties are maintained by a computerized rooftop weather-monitoring system that oversees temperature and local weather conditions around the clock. Should something go wrong, faculty can control the greenhouse climate from anywhere in the world with the click of a mouse.