Celebrate Mother’s Day in “full bloom” at a showcase of the Northwest’s most extensive collection of flowers and foliage May 9-10 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Buds & Blooms Spring Garden Festival is a grand tour of Federal Way’s renowned gardens, distinguished Farmers Market and urban wetland and wildlife refuge.

The festival returns for the second year and offers presentations by gardening celebrities, live music, workshops, art exhibits, food booths and children’s activities at five festival locations. Admission to all locations is free or low cost.

“We have some of the best gardens in the Northwest and Buds & Blooms Spring Garden Festival presents a perfect opportunity to visit Federal Way,” said Lillian Yeh, economic development coordinator for the City of Federal Way.

Don’t miss this last chance to visit the Weyerhaeuser Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection. The collection closed on April 3 after 20 years of operation to save costs in the current economy. When the collection will reopen is not yet known.

Festival locations include: Weyerhaeuser Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection, Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, PowellsWood Garden, West Hylebos Wetlands and Federal Way Farmers Market.

Complementary shuttle service between all five locations is offered to guests Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Parking at Weyerhaeuser Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection located at 33663 Weyerhaeuser Way South, Federal Way, is recommended.

Featured gardening presentations include:

Weyerhaeuser Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection:

Saturday, May 9

• Steve Hootman – Co-Executive Director and Curator of the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden lectures on the Rhododendron Species at 11 a.m.

• Ciscoe Morris – radio and television gardening personality presents “Gardening with Ciscoe” at 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 10

• Richie Steffen – Curator of the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden conducts a Container Plants Presentation at 11 a.m.

• David De Groot – Curator of Weyerhaeuser’s Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection discusses Bonsai Basics at 1 p.m.

PowellsWood Garden:

Saturday, May 9

• Rita Butler – Master Gardener demonstrates Growing with Bulbs at 10:30 a.m.

• Ed Hume – Gardening writer and broadcast personality presents on Spring Garden, Vegetables & Flowers at 1:30pm.

Sunday, May 10

• Irene Mills – Garden Designer and Consultant discusses Curb Appeal at 10:30 a.m.

• Jackie LaVerne – Master Gardener presents on Hardy Fuchsias at 1:30 p.m.

Federal Way Farmers Market:

Saturday, May 9

• Marianne Binetti – Gardening author and writer presents on Spring Container Gardening from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Additional activities include mosaic stepping stone making at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, beekeeping demonstrations at PowellsWood Garden, historical cabin tours, wetland tours, spinning wheel demonstrations and free seed and wildlife coloring books at West Hylebos Wetlands.

On Saturday only, the Federal Way Farmers Market celebrates their opening day with a pancake breakfast, chef demonstrations, a master gardener booth, face painting and clay pot decorating.

National Train Day is May 9 and what better way to celebrate than by taking the train to the Buds & Blooms Spring Garden Festival. Amtrak Cascades and Courtyard by Marriott have created a special Buds & Blooms package. More information at http://cwp.marriott.com/seafw/budsandbloomspringfestiva/. Hotel specials are also offered independently by Courtyard by Marriott and the Clarion Hotel.

Can food collection bins will be placed at the Weyerhaeuser Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection, PowellsWood Garden and the Farmers Market to collect non-perishable items for the Multi-Service Food Bank.

More information at www.federalway.org or the festival hotline: 253-835-6868.