Seattle, WA. UW Botanic Gardens grounds are open to visitors. Building access is limited, yet opportunities to learn and experience the gardens are bountiful. Above, the Washington Park Arboretum is alive with plant life.
UW Botanic Gardens continues to follow all advice and directives set forth by the University of Washington, which are detailed at length on the UW Novel Coronavirus Information Page.
Washington Park Arboretum: The Graham Visitors Center (GVC) is now open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., with the Arboretum Gift Shop open 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Due to limited staffing, these hours are subject to change. GVC restrooms are open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily, accessible only from the exterior of the building. Other restrooms are available at the bus turnaround in the Pacific Connections Garden, Washington Park Playfield, and Seattle Japanese Garden (south end of the Arboretum). Washington Park Arboretum closures are coordinated with Seattle Parks and Recreation. For more information about all Seattle Park closures, visit SPR’s Parkways blog.
The Washington Park Arboretum holds a world-class collection of woody plants that can be explored on your own, via group tours, or through classes and activities. All parts of the Washington Park Arboretum, with the exception of the Japanese Garden, are open to the public and are free of charge. The Graham Visitors Center has maps, restrooms, Arboretum Foundation offices, a gift shop, and a rental venue. Year-round visitors will find something of interest along the trails that wind through 230 acres of gardens, natural areas, and wetlands.
The Washington Park Arboretum’s Pacific Connections Garden hosts plant life from Cascadia, Australia, China, Chile and New Zealand.
This summer, explore the five eco-geographic regions of the Pacific Connections Garden. See stunning hydrangeas, magnolias and sorrel trees. The Japanese Garden is an opportunity for a tranquil summer stroll among water features and formal plantings.
Seasonal highlights for July and August include hardy fuchsias and Eucryphia species. More details about seasonal tours can be found here.
The UW Botanic Gardens has two locations: The Center for Urban Horticulture and the Washington Park Arboretum.
Tour Programs: Private Walking Tours and Tram Tours are available upon request. Walk-up tours for the general public are not currently offered.
Here are points to keep in mind regarding COVID-19 regulations:
- As of July 7, face coverings are optional for fully vaccinated individuals at UW campuses and facilities, with specific exceptions that include health-care and child-care facilities, and UW shuttles, where you must wear face coverings regardless of your vaccination status.
- Consistent with state regulations, individuals who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear a face covering indoors at all UW campuses and facilities, in accordance with the UW Face Covering Policy. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated should also consider wearing face coverings outdoors when in crowds or when distancing is not possible.
- Tour groups will be required to provide a log with names and contact information for all participants.
Center for Urban Horticulture: All Center for Urban Horticulture buildings are closed to the public until further notice. The grounds are open to visitors. The center has opportunities for educational classes, bird watching, youth programming, and more.
Although the Center for Urban Horticulture building is closed, the gardens are open for exploration.
Elisabeth C. Miller Library: The Library is closed to in-person patrons until further notice. UW Botanic Gardens staff will continue to answer reference questions via email or the online form. Email is preferred for questions involving plant identification. The Library book drop has reopened, so you may return your borrowed materials any time. The library is now offering contactless pickup of holds. In order to place holds, you will need to return all borrowed items. Learn how to borrow books and schedule a pickup.
From UW Botanic Gardens:
The University of Washington Botanic Gardens has two sites: the Washington Park Arboretum and the Center for Urban Horticulture.
Our mission is sustaining managed to natural ecosystems and the human spirit through plant research, display, and education.
The 230-acre Arboretum includes a vibrant collection of more than 40,000 plants from around the world with trails to explore and programs for youth and adults.
The Center for Urban Horticulture includes demonstration gardens and natural areas, and also houses the Elisabeth C. Miller Library, Otis Douglas Hyde Herbarium, and the Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation Program. The UW Botanic Gardens is a unit within the School of Environmental & Forest Sciences.
Both sites offer excellent opportunities for exercise, exploration, and wildlife viewing. Visit the Botanic Gardens to explore and enjoy on your own or join with others on guided tours, in classes or other fun programs. FACT SHEET (pdf)
For more info click here: UW Botanic Gardens.
