UW Botanic Gardens

09/01/2026

The Trees for Neighborhoods Planting Program has officially reopened free tree applications for yard spaces! There are lots of tree options to choose from that are available to Seattle residents at a first come, first served basis. Don't wait to apply, the application will remain open until ALL trees have found a home!

Tap here to learn about the 2026 Yard Tree options and apply for your free tree(s) online: https://www.seattle.gov/trees/trees-for-neighborhoods

08/24/2026

The Seattle Japanese Garden is hosting an exciting event and training opportunity! Join them for a Stonemason presentation & Demo with the 15th generation, Suminori Awata of Awata Construction from Shiga, Japan, and Kyle Schlagenhauf of the Green Man Builders, who are wrapping up their work on the ishigaki wall inside the garden. REGISTRATION REQUIRED: https://sjgevents.square.site/

Talking to Stones | Anoshu Ishigaki Wall Construction Presentation & Demo
Sunday, September 13, 2026
10:00AM - 12:00PM
Seattle Japanese Garden
Fee: $45, $35 for NAJGA members

Required: Bring your own PPE (hard hat, safety glasses, sturdy closed-toe shoes) if you are interested in seeing the demo close-up in the construction zone.

08/05/2026

RESCHEDULED: Due to concerns about wildfire smoke and unhealthy air, this evening’s Music in the Arboretum concert by the Jovino Santos Neto Quintet has been rescheduled to Thursday, August 13, at 6pm.

RESCHEDULED: Due to concerns about wildfire smoke and unhealthy air, this evening’s Music in the Arboretum concert by the Jovino Santos Neto Quintet has been rescheduled to Thursday, August 13, at 6pm.

Please join us then for a FREE and unforgettable performance under the trees, blending Brazilian traditional music and jazz improvisation.

More info & RSVP: https://arboretumfoundation.org/events/music-in-the-arboretum/

08/04/2026

8/6 FREE PUBLIC TOUR CANCELLATION

Safety of our staff and visitors in incredibly important to us. Due to wildfire smoke and forecasted high temperatures, we unfortunately have to cancel our 8/6 first Thursday walking tour. Air quality is predicted to improve by the weekend, and there are still spaces available in our Saturday, 8/8 walking tour (first ticket $20; additional tickets $15 each).

  Educational Tours at the Washington Park Arboretum are led by trained guides and focus on seasonal topics of interest and special plant collections. Our educational tours are tailored for an adult audience but minors are welcome. Dogs on a 6 foot leash are also welcome. Interested in scheduling a...

07/23/2026

We have had the best time practicing yoga in the Arboretum this summer!

Join us from 6-7pm on Monday, July 27th for our last class of the season with Jasmine RaShae’.

This is a free event, but please register via the link below! Class will be in the Pacific Connections Garden meadow at the south end of Arboretum Drive. Bring your own mats/props.

https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/about/events/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D200137987

07/02/2026

Check out this article by Lynda Mapes, diving into the wonderful world of lichens! Featured is Katherine Glew, who regularly leads lichen walks with us in the Washington Park Arboretum.

More than 1,000 species of lichen grow in Washington. All of them offer a window into profound biological cooperation. https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/see-the-whole-world-in-lichens-the-marvels-that-grow-anywhere/?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=owned_echobox_f&utm_source=Facebook =1782570403

06/30/2026

Friendly reminder that paid parking begins tomorrow, July 1, at the Center for Urban Horticulture:
• The first two hours of parking will be free (with kiosk registration)
• Daily parking is set at $5 (the lowest campus rate)
• Parking remains free weekends (after 12pm on Saturdays) and holidays

Look for the PaybyPhone signs in our lots and head to the link below for more info.

Jun 23, 2026 / News / ogprice Twitter Facebook Pinterest Email Updates to Parking at the Center for Urban Horticulture If you’re planning a visit to the Center for Urban Horticulture this summer, we want to share an upcoming change so you can plan ahead. Starting July 1, 2026, the E16 parking lot ...

06/30/2026

The UW chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration is having a flash sale for their native plants starting TOMORROW, JULY 1st and running through July 8th! Support a student-run nursery at UW and get beautiful native plants to grow at your home. Please do remember to water them once you plant them - it's going to be a long, dry summer, and even native plants need help getting established after installation! Browse and purchase plants here: https://bit.ly/4eTjYIk

05/25/2026

Do you dream of gifting beautiful bouquets made of flowers grown in your own yard? Join Sarah Nayani to learn how to plan, grow, and care for a cut-flower garden! She'll also cover how to harvest the flowers and foliage as well as the basics of arranging. Registration closes soon! Register online: https://bit.ly/4nAVIOZ

05/19/2026

Create a personalized hand-stitched frame to remember a special memory! Join fiber artist Melissa Galbraith and learn hand embroidery stitches such as the satin stitch, split back stitch, stem stitch, and French knot, then apply those stitches to your very own keepsake. Registration closes soon - all skill levels welcome! Register online: https://bit.ly/42DoHIt