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UW Botanic Gardens

The University of Washington Botanic Gardens, part of the School of Environmental & Forest Sciences, consists of two sites: the Washington Park Arboretum and the Center for Urban Horticulture. With a diverse collection of over 20,000 plants and various amenities, these sites provide opportunities for education, research, and recreational activities.

UW Botanic Gardens

Upcoming Classes at UW Botanic Gardens

  • Botanical Print-Making Workshop

    Explore the intricate art of capturing the beauty of nature through hands-on print-making techniques. Learn to make botanical prints in the rich biodiversity of the UW Botanic Gardens.

    Next start date: Sunday, Apr 14th, 1–3pm Pacific Time
    Price: $50
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  • Forest Bathing Walk

    Immerse yourself in the healing power of nature as you embark on a sensory journey through lush trails. Join us for a unique experience that invites you to slow down, open your senses, and find tranquility in the embrace of the forest. Discover the medicine of being in the forest at the UW Botanic Gardens.

    Next start date: Saturday, Apr 20th, 10–11:30am Pacific Time
    Price: $25
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  • Introduction to 10 Common Plant Families

    Explore the intricate relationships between species and discover the unique characteristics that define each family through this enlightening course.

    Next start date: Wednesday, Apr 10th, 7–8pm Pacific Time
    Price: $90
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  • Spring Ephemerals at the Miller Garden

    Discover the secrets of creating a stunning early spring display as you wander through the enchanting Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden. Immerse yourself in the expertise of Richie Steffen, curator of the garden, as he unveils the beauty of early spring flowering bulbs and perennials in their natural habitat. Embrace the wonders of nature and join us on this captivating journey.

    Next start date: Thursday, Apr 4th, 1–3pm Pacific Time
    Price: $45
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  • Outdoor Wellness Fridays with UW Botanic Gardens

    Join Chloe Jane Lee, a certified forest therapy guide and yoga instructor, for a transformative outdoor experience that combines breath meditation, movement, and a restorative sound bath. Immerse yourself in the healing frequencies of crystal singing bowls, gongs, and chimes as you reconnect with nature and find relaxation and connection. All are welcome to join for this community event.

    Next start date: Friday, Apr 26th, 10–11:30am Pacific Time
    Price: $25
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  • Local Plants for Natural Dyes and Pigments

    Discover the vibrant world of natural dyes as you learn to create your own beautiful colors from common garden plants, ornamental trees, and even weeds. Join us for a hands-on workshop where you'll uncover the art of dyeing fabric and explore the use of mordants. Leave with a swatch book and stunning dyed silk scarf and cotton bandana.

    Next start date: Sunday, Apr 21st, 10am–1pm Pacific Time
    Price: $57
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  • Watercolors from Natural Pigments

    Discover the art of lake pigmentation in this hands-on workshop at the UW Botanic Gardens. Learn how to transform organic materials into vibrant watercolor pigments and create your own paints. Leave with newfound knowledge and two unique watercolor paints to continue your artistic journey.

    Next start date: Sunday, Apr 28th, 10am–1pm Pacific Time
    Price: $57
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  • Urban Foraging: Weeds and Wild Foods

    Join us at Discovery Park for a hands-on experience filled with valuable knowledge and practical tips on how to cook with edible weeds and wild foods. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to tap into the wealth of resources right at your fingertips.

    Next start date: Saturday, May 11th, 1–4pm Pacific Time
    Price: $45
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  • Painting Spring Florals and Botanical Elements in Mixed Media

    Explore the beauty of nature through art with our engaging course focusing on creating vibrant floral and botanical masterpieces using a variety of mixed media techniques.

    Next start date: Thursday, May 2nd, 6–8pm Pacific Time
    Price: $48
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  • Therapeutic Gardening

    Discover the transformative power of nature as you explore the sensory-rich environment of the UW Center for Urban Horticulture. Join experienced psychologist Dawnn Meiers in this experiential workshop where you'll learn to identify and savor plants that evoke curiosity, calm, and joy. Uncover the healing benefits of gardening and find ways to apply these strategies in your daily life.

    Next start date: Sunday, May 5th, 10:30am–12pm Pacific Time
    Price: $25
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  • Curator Tour: Rhododendron Glen

    Embark on a captivating journey through the Rhododendron Glen of the Washington Park Arboretum. Delve into the secrets of blooming flowers and rare plant collections. Join us for an enriching experience as we unveil the botanical wonders hidden within this picturesque garden.

    Next start date: Tuesday, May 7th, 6–7:30pm Pacific Time
    Price: $25
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  • Meet Seattle's Urban Beavers

    Explore the intriguing lives of the urban beavers nestled in the heart of Seattle with this course. Learn about their habitat, behavior, and impact on the local ecosystem.

    Next start date: Tuesday, May 21st, 6:30–8pm Pacific Time
    Price: $25
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  • Native Plants 101: Field Identification

    Learn to identify common native plants of Western Washington and discover tips on plant identification. Enhance your gardening skills by understanding growth preferences and incorporating native plants into your own garden or yard. Join us at the Washington Park Arboretum for a hands-on experience in native plant identification.

    Next start date: Wednesday, May 29th, 4–6pm Pacific Time
    Price: $30
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  • Springtime Botanical Collage - Art Workshop

    Unleash your creativity with a hands-on botanical art experience surrounded by the vibrant beauty of nature. Dive into the world of collage-making using a variety of botanical materials to create stunning artwork that captures the essence of the season. Join us for an enriching workshop that combines art, nature, and inspiration in a unique setting.

    Next start date: Saturday, Jun 8th, 1–4pm Pacific Time
    Price: $57
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  • Botanical Watercolor: Pansy Practice

    Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of botanical watercolor. Explore techniques to capture the beauty of pansies with realism and accuracy. From brushwork to color blending, unleash your creativity and bring these spring blooms to life on paper.

    Next start date: Sunday, Jun 2nd, 9am–12pm Pacific Time
    Price: $45
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  • Curator Tour: Hydrangeas in the Arboretum

    Embark on an insightful journey through captivating plant collections. Discover rare species, genetic marvels, and eco-geographic habitats. Learn the fascinating stories behind how these plants found their way to us, enriching your botanical knowledge along the way.

    Next start date: Tuesday, Jul 9th, 6–7:30pm Pacific Time
    Price: $25
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3501 NE 41st St, Seattle, WA 98195
UW Botanic Gardens
University District
3501 NE 41st St
Seattle, Washington 98195

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Description

The University of Washington Botanic Gardens is a unit within the School of Environmental & Forest Sciences and encompasses two sites: the Washington Park Arboretum on the south side of Union Bay and the Center for Urban Horticulture on the north side. The 230-acre Arboretum includes a vibrant collection of more than 20,000 living plants from around the world and also offers opportunities to explore woods, wetlands, and take in exceptional views. The Center for Urban Horticulture includes demonstration gardens and natural areas, and also houses the Elisabeth C. Miller Horticultural Library, Otis Douglas Hyde Herbarium, and the Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation Program. Both sites offer excellent opportunities for exercise, exploration, and wildlife viewing.

Our mission is sustaining managed to natural ecosystems and the human spirit through plant research, display, and education.


Reviews of UW Botanic Gardens

(4.4-star rating across 13 reviews)
  • Botanical Print-Making Workshop

    Anonymous review on 5/11/2023
    Perfect class. Offered just the right amount of instruction and information in order to play around with the concepts and walk away with the ability to do more on your own. The space was airy and spacious. Also appreciated that materials were included. Thank you!
  • Japanese Garden Pruning

    Reviewed by Carole M. on 8/19/2021
    Good information, great presentation. Thanks, Bess.
  • Rose Pruning

    Anonymous review on 2/13/2021
    Lots of practical information for the beginning gardener, or anyone who has grown roses but never was sure about what to prune and when. All of my questions were answered during the class. The instructor was highly qualified and had a good sense of humor.
  • Japanese Garden Pruning

    Anonymous review on 2/21/2020
    The one issue was that the organization did not have me on the list when I checked. The registration was done on CourseHorse 2 weeks in advance.
  • Gardening with the Seasons: Winter

    Anonymous review on 1/24/2019
    concise and clear explanation of winter tasks such as pruning (and which pruning for summer) including how to reduce waterspouts, common weeds that are best tackled in winter, kinds of mulches and useage, etc.
  • Botanical Sketching in Ink and Watercolor

    Reviewed by Anca I. on 10/10/2018
    Superb easy to go along teaching! Never did that before & she’s a great teacher. Location is not so easy to go to due to crazy traffic, but it was worth it
  • Native Plants 101: Edible Native Plants

    Anonymous review on 8/9/2018
    The handouts were tough to read and while the two teachers did a good job and knew the material, it would’ve been better to not look at the Yesler Swamp for IDing. I thought I was going to get a better idea of what plants should go in a yard/garden.
  • Botanical Sketching in Ink and Watercolor

    Reviewed by Harleen K. on 1/19/2024
  • Native Plants 101: Gardening with Native Ephemerals and Understory Plants

    Anonymous review on 1/12/2024
  • Rose Pruning

    Anonymous review on 2/7/2020
  • Gardening with the Seasons: Fall

    Reviewed by Mark v. on 9/27/2019
  • Gardening with the Seasons: Fall

    Reviewed by Alison W. on 9/26/2019
  • Botanical Sketching in Ink and Watercolor

    Reviewed by Stefan I. on 10/10/2018

Review Summary by CourseHorse

Students who have taken classes at the UW Botanic Gardens have found them to be perfect and have provided just the right amount of instruction and information. They appreciated being able to play around with the concepts and walk away with the ability to do more on their own. The classes were well-presented and contained practical information for beginners or those unsure about gardening tasks. All questions were answered, and the instructor was highly qualified and had a good sense of humor. The winter pruning class provided concise and clear explanations of tasks such as pruning and mulching. The teacher was praised for her teaching style. Quotes: 1. "Lots of practical information for the beginning gardener, or anyone who has grown roses but never was sure about what to prune and when." 2. "The instructor was highly qualified and had a good sense of humor." 3. "Never did that before and she’s a great teacher."

Teachers at UW Botanic Gardens

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