Along with a new rebranding and repositioning, primarily Asian-focused Quarryhill Botanical Garden in Glen Ellen, now Sonoma Botanical Garden has also been treated to a complete makeover while we were all sitting at home dreaming of being back out and about.
The property's beautiful ponds received a facial and a duckweed extraction, making way for a perfectly picturesque spot on the wooden bridge overlooking a garden view with glistening reflections on the water.
Historic stone walls were restored, facility buildings were renovated and more improvements continue to be made in this internationally recognized wild Asian woodland garden.
"Adapting our mission to include California botany will allow us to be even more sensitive to wildlife, water, and wildfire issues that are so present in our community and the world at large," says Scot Medbury, Executive Director for this unique garden. "We hope that encountering specimens of California's endangered native flora will lead people to an appreciation of plant-conservation challenges around the world, including those found in Asia, and vice versa - and that learning about the endangered flora of Asia might inspire local action to save California plants."
With this revised mission, a new name was needed to encompass the whole of the Garden - Asian woodland and Three Springs Ranch. Quarryhill Botanical Garden became Sonoma Botanical Garden. "We anticipate that the new name and enhanced mission will strengthen the Garden's connection to our community, advancing our environmental-education impact in an era of climate change," says Jerry Newell, Chair of the Garden's Board of Directors.
Efforts to expand the garden's deliciously refreshing citrus collection are in motion, including the cultivation of Kumquats, Buddha’s hand, and more. If you've never visited, I thoroughly recommend you put it on your list for staycation activities this summer or fall.
Visit Wednesday through Monday from 9:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.
If you go:
General Garden Admission
Please check-in at the Gift Shop.
- $12 Adults
- $10 Seniors (65+)
- $8 Children ages 13-17/Active Military/Students with ID
- Children 12 and under are free
- No admission fee for members, become a member today!
- No charge for AHS RAP members
Contact
707-996-3166
info@sonomabg.org
PO Box 232, Glen Ellen, CA 95442
12841 HWY 12, Glen Ellen, CA 95442
Driving Directions
About 8 miles north of Sonoma, the Garden is located on California Highway 12 (Sonoma Highway), just north of Arnold Drive intersection.
Do NOT turn on Miller Rd. Enter directly through the gate off HWY 12. Click here to view the Garden's entrance gate on Google Maps.
Parking
When you enter the gate off HWY 12, follow signs to Visitor Parking. Please check-in at the Gift Shop before you enter the Garden.
Wheelchair accessibility is limited. There are steep hills and uneven, loose trails. Leave pets at home.
Photography is welcomed.
Picnic areas are scattered throughout the garden and near the parking lot.
Guests are encouraged to bring water in refillable water bottles. Water is available in the Gift Shop for purchase, but there is no access to drinking water on the trails.
Restrooms are located near the parking area and in the Garden northwest of the arbor. Note: the Arbor restrooms are Port-a-Potties.
To ensure the tranquility of the garden for all, biking and smoking are prohibited.
Humans share the Garden with rattlesnakes and mountain lions. For your safety, stay on the paths.
The Garden is a living museum with a scientifically documented collection. Many plants are rare or endangered and therefore significant to conservation efforts. Please do not remove seeds or cuttings from the garden.
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