Join us in our Garden on the Hood Canal for a Wonderful Escape.

Here at Whitney Gardens & Nursery, the peaceful beauty of nature invites you to experience something truly memorable. Located in the charming town of Brinnon, Washington, our spacious gardens feature an incredible variety of colorful flowers, rich greenery, and distinctive plant collections that captivate both avid gardeners and casual explorers. Whether you wish to lose yourself in the tranquility of our landscapes, browse our nursery for your next garden addition, or simply take a relaxing walk among the blossoms, Whitney Gardens has something special for everyone. Visit us and let nature’s wonders refresh your spirit!

Open year round, except for our holiday closures of Thanksgiving day, and Dec 24th-Jan 3rd yearly.

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We’re on Highway 101 in Brinnon, WA! We can’t wait to see you!

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A Brief History:

Bill Whitney (pictured) began experimenting with rhododendrons around 1930 on his 1.3-acre nursery in Washougal, Washington. Originally interested in camellias, Bill shifted his focus to rhododendrons, forming a close friendship with Theodore Van Veen, Sr., a fellow pioneer in hybridizing. In 1955, Bill and his wife Faye moved their nursery to a 6.8-acre property in Brinnon, along Hood Canal, where they continued to cultivate and hybridize rhododendrons.

Bill spent years developing new varieties, with his most famous creation, Virginia Richards (pictured), taking 25 years from initial cross to public release. His dedication to hybridizing aimed to improve plant characteristics like bloom quality, hardiness, and compactness. He was widely recognized for his contributions, earning honors such as the 1964 “Man of the Year” in horticulture and a Gold Medal from the American Rhododendron Society (ARS).

Despite deteriorating health, Bill continued his hybridizing work until his death in 1973. The nursery, a wonderful rhododendron species botanical garden, along with many other plant varieties and offerings, was sold to George and Anne Sather in 1970, but Bill’s influence remains strong, with many of his creations still in demand today.

The Sathers

In 1970, the Sathers, took over Whitney Gardens in Brinnon, Washington. After visiting several times in 1968, they became fascinated with the garden and its unique collection of plants. In a casual conversation, Mr. Whitney suggested they buy the garden, and though initially surprised, they eventually embraced the idea. By August 1970, they had moved to the nursery, inheriting not only the garden but also the challenges of maintaining its vast array of plants. They worked tirelessly to preserve and expand on Mr. Whitney’s legacy, continuing his passion for hybridizing rhododendrons.

Although the garden showed signs of neglect as Bill’s health declined, the Sathers, along with daughter Ellie, took over and revitalized it. They worked diligently to preserve the Whitney legacy, pruning, propagating, and introducing new varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas. Today, the garden remains a peaceful retreat, with Ellie (pictured with maple) at the helm welcoming visitors year-round.

george sather
George Sather
Anne Sather
Anne Sather
Ellie Sather
Ellie Sather

The Legacy

Bill Whitney’s hybridizing efforts left a lasting impact. Though he only registered two plants during his lifetime, his wife Faye and son Bill Jr. continued his work after his death, sharing his seedlings with nurseries for further development. Notable hybrids like ‘Sunny Day’ and ‘Anne’s Delight’ exemplify his achievements, especially in creating hardier yellow varieties.

Many of Bill’s hybrids are now commercially available, including ‘Virginia Richards,’ ‘Creamy Chiffon,’ and ‘Whitney Orange (pictured).’ His dedication to hybridizing created a lasting legacy of beauty and innovation in the world of rhododendrons.

Gift Certificates Available, please contact us to purchase.

What our Visitors are Saying: “We recently went to the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, in Federal Way. Then we visited Whitney Gardens and Nursery, in Brinnon, yesterday – and found it to be absolutely wonderful! Even the drive, to Whitney Gardens, along the north shore of Hood Canal, is incredibly beautiful and memorable. The gardens are compact and meticulously designed – with sweet little surprises around every corner. The owner and staff were so kind and helpful, too. We loved it so much – we’re going back next week.” Glenn S