The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. boasts a unique garden treasure. Envisioned and financed by local businesswoman and philanthropist Ethel Dupar, this is the only display garden in Seattle dedicated year round to fragrant plants.

Seattle’s Ethel Dupar Fragrant Garden is designed to provide a rich and sensory experience for the visually impaired, by engaging the senses of smell, touch, and hearing.

The entire garden is wheelchair accessible, with broad concrete walkways throughout.

Waist high raised beds are filled with plants chosen for their aromatic foliage, which release their scents when handled. In 2008, the garden features over 50 species of aromatic foliage plants from around the world.

Some plants are included because they feel wonderful to touch.

Plants in the raised beds are labeled in text and Braille.

Plants with fragrant flowers diffuse their fragrances through the garden when in bloom.

A striking fountain created from a redwoodw drift stump dominates the garden’s sound environment.

An ever-changing container scape showcases temporary displays of bulbs in bloom and creates a space to audition new plant candidates for the garden. Containers also allow custom planting mixes for plants with particular soil requirements.

The garden is currently undergoing a major rehabilitation with ongoing financial support from The Dupar Family Foundation and The King County Master Gardener Foundation.

In Fall of 2002, the garden was accepted as a project of the King county Master Gardener Program, thus gaining access to a pool of Master Gardener volunteers. We also received major support from local Lions Clubs.

Through joint efforts of Lighthouse staff, Master Gardeners, and a wide range of community volunteers, the garden is being reborn. Head gardener Helen Weber and volunteers have invested hundreds of hours to remove inappropriate vegetation, amend the soil, and plant fragrant trees, shrubs, bulbs, herbs, and ground covers.

We offer guided tours of the garden during the growing season. Tours are available by arrangement to the general public, garden clubs, and other groups for a nominal donation to the fragrant plant fund.

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