With vibrant blossoms and budding trees, springtime at Bloedel Reserve is like walking through a kaleidoscope of colors and textures.

Adding to the visual beauty this year is a month-­long exhibit of 21 site­-specific poems that will allow visitors to pause, enjoy the words and soak up the beauty of the surroundings.

The exhibit runs throughout the month of April and is included with general admission to Bloedel.

The poetry panels will be installed along the trails in conjunction with April’s National Poetry Month.

Selected works spanning a wide­ range of styles were nominated by poetry­ lovers in the community and curated by University of Washington professor/poet Linda Bierds and author/poet David Guterson.

“The nominators represent a broad range of poetry lovers and practitioners, from children who are just beginning to discover its gifts, to those who have read and written it for years,” Linda Bierds said. “That, to me, is a highlight of this project.”

Poetry at Bloedel is a natural fit and has long been woven into its history — the Bloedel grandchildren often recited poetry to Mr. and Mrs. Bloedel by the fireside — and Pulitzer Prize-winning­ poet and close family friend Theodore Roethke spent weekends at the Bloedels’ guesthouse.

Lines from Emily Bronte’s poem “Sympathy” are engraved at the Bloedels’ grave site near the reflection pool.

“Nature has long been a rich font of mystery and meaning for people the world over, and poets go to it as if by instinct,” said David Guterson.

Indeed, poets, both established and emerging, often frequent Bloedel to find such inspiration.

“The Poetry at Bloedel event allows visitors to experience the gardens in a new way,” said executive director Ed Moydell. “I’m thrilled with the poetry selections. They help frame the landscapes in a different light and bring another dimension to Bloedel Reserve.”

There will be a special opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 4. Guests will celebrate the occasion with a toast and readings by Bierds and Guterson, walk the trails, read the selected poetry and enjoy bites and drinks in the former Bloedel residence.

Also, at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 12 there will be a special reading by Bloedel Poet-in-Residence Kathleen Flenniken (Washington state’s Poet Laureate from 2012­ to 2014 and author of “Plume”).

Tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com; the cost is $8 for reserve members and $10 for non-members.

Additionally, there will be a Thoedore Roethke Tribute at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 25.

Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1954, and twice the winner of the National Book Award for Poetry, Roethke is considered one of the 20th Century’s most influential poets.

Enjoy a night of Roethke’s poetry and hear from some of his biggest fans.

Tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com; the cost is $12 for reserve members and $15 for non-members.

Visit www.bloedelreserve.org to learn more.