COVID-19

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The RSBG is open to the public.

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Update – 2/2/2022

The Visitor Center and Rutherford Conservatory are open !  We are only accepting credit cards at this time, and we ask that you practice social distancing while exploring the garden.

The RSBG is bringing back your favorite annual programs with modifications to ensure visitor safety. See the Events menu to read updates about each event.

 

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Update – 8/19/2021

The Visitor Center & Shop remains open to the public, however, masks are now required for all visitors while inside of RSBG buildings, including the Rutherford Conservatory.  We ask that you continue to socially distance yourself while exploring the garden.  Masks are not required while outside, unless you are with parties from other households or in close proximity to crowds.

Update – 7/6/2021

The Visitor Center and Shop will reopen on Saturday, July 10.  Masks are not required but strongly encouraged. Masks are still required for unvaccinated visitors.

Update – 5/14/2021

Per the CDC’s guidelines, vaccinated visitors are no longer required to wear masks while outdoors.  We do ask that you wear your mask in areas of the garden where people are more concentrated, like the Rutherford Conservatory and the plant sales area. If you are feeling ill, please stay home for the safety of our staff and fellow visitors.

  • The Rutherford Conservatory is now open.
  • The Visitor Center remains closed until further notice.  We will have a small selection of branded merchandise available for purchase from the Visitor Center window.
  • The nursery is open and plants may be purchased from the Visitor Center window or on the Rutherford Conservatory Terrace during Pop-Up Plant Vendor Weekends.
  • The RSBG is only accepting credit cards at this time.
  • The bathroom building (located in the entry courtyard by the Pacific Bonsai Museum) is open.

Update – 4/15/2021

The RSBG is reopening the Rutherford Conservatory, effective 4/17/2021. Please note that we are only permitting five parties in the conservatory at a time, 6ft social distancing is required, and masks must be worn while inside of the building. See below for other important updates as you plan your visit.

  • The Visitor Center is closed until further notice.  We will have a small selection of merchandise available for purchase from the Visitor Center window.
  • The nursery is open and plants may be purchased from the Visitor Center window or on the Rutherford Conservatory Terrace during Pop-Up Plant Vendor Weekends.
  • The RSBG is only accepting credit cards at this time.
  • Picnicking is not permitted.
  • The bathroom building (located in the entry courtyard) is open.

Update – 1/11/2021

We regret to announce that all in-person spring 2021 events are canceled.  The RSBG continues to be open to the public between 10am and 4pm Tuesday through Sunday – we hope to see you at the garden. Please see below for other important updates as you plan your visit.

  • The Visitor Center is closed until further notice.  We will have a small selection of merchandise available for purchase from the Visitor Center window.
  • The nursery is open and plants may be purchased from the Visitor Center window.
  • The RSBG is only accepting credit cards during the pandemic.
  • The Rutherford Conservatory is closed until further notice.
  • Picnicking is not permitted at this time.
  • The Pacific Bonsai Museum located next door is open to the public.

Thank you for your understanding as we do our best to create a safe space for visitors and staff.

Update – 9/6/2020

The RSBG is open to the public between 10 am and 4 pm Tuesday through Sunday. Please note that operations and visitor experiences have changed to support the health and safety of staff and visitors. For information about ticket prices and directions, click here. Here’s what you can expect during your visit:

  • The Visitor Center is closed until further notice. We are unable to sell shop merchandise at this time.
  • Tickets and plants can be purchased from the window of the Visitor Center.
  • All purchases must be made with a credit card.
  • The Rutherford Conservatory is closed until further notice.
  • The plant sales area is open. We strongly encourage the use of masks and gloves while browsing the plant sales area.
  • The public restrooms building is now open. Please note that the restrooms are located in the entry courtyard between Pacific Bonsai Museum and the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden.
  • Picnicking is not permitted at this time.
  • All RSBG staff will wear masks.
  • A hand sanitizer station is available in the plant sales area, just outside of the back door of the Visitor Center.

The Pacific Bonsai Museum located next door is now open to the public.  Admission is by donation – you can find the donation station near the museum’s exit.  Thank you for visiting and supporting the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden.

Update – 6/12/2020

The RSBG continues to be open to the public during our normal operating hours of 10am to 4pm Tuesday through Sunday. Please note that operations and visitor experiences have changed to support the health and safety of staff and visitors.  Here’s what you can expect during your visit:

  • The Visitor Center is closed until further notice. We are unable to sell shop merchandise at this time.
  • Tickets and plants can be purchased from the window of the Visitor Center.
  • All purchases must be made with a credit card.
  • The Rutherford Conservatory is closed until further notice.
  • The plant sales area is open. We strongly encourage the use of masks and gloves while browsing the plant sales area.
  • The public restrooms building is closed until further notice.  Port-o-lets are available inside of the garden for your convenience.
  • Picnicking is not permitted at this time.
  • All RSBG staff will wear masks.
  • A hand sanitizer station is available in the plant sales area.

Please note that all events are canceled, including Evening in the Garden.  Thank you for your understanding!

Update – 5/5/2020

In light of new announcements from our governor, we are pleased to announce that we will reopen the garden tomorrow (Wednesday, May 6) for MEMBERS ONLY. As both a thank you to our Members and a means of managing crowds on what is typically our busiest weekend of the year, we are pleased to be able to open our doors to you this week. The garden will open to the general public beginning on Tuesday, May 12. Please bring your Member ID when you visit the garden. If you have lost your card, no worries! We can verify your Membership at the Visitor Center window. Also, if you have questions about what admissions benefits your Membership level includes, please visit our website.

❗❗❗ Please read the following before planning your visit. ❗❗❗ In the interest of ensuring the health and safety of our visitors, the RSBG is implementing new garden policies:  
-Visitors must remain 6 feet apart from those who are not from your household. -The Rutherford Conservatory and Visitor Center are closed. -The public restrooms building in the entry courtyard is closed.  We will have port-o-lets available inside of the garden. -Picnicking is not permitted. -We recommend that all visitors wear masks and gloves at the garden, particularly in the plant sales area. -All purchases must be made with credit cards until further notice. -No more than 200 people can be in the garden at the same time, in order to ensure that social distancing is possible. As a result, you may experience wait times on weekends.
To ensure your safety: -The garden will have a hand sanitizer station in the plant sales area. -RSBG staff will wear masks and gloves. -All buildings are closed. Thank you for supporting the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden.  We look forward to seeing you soon.

Update – 3/20/2020

We regret to announce that the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden will be closed until further notice starting Saturday, March 21. After much consideration and consultation with our Board of Directors and fellow botanical gardens, we have decided that this is the best course of action for the health of our visitors, Members, and staff. In the meantime, we will continue to share our garden in the digital space with blogs, videos, and images. In addition, we will be updating our plant sales list to include all of the beautiful and rare plants for sale in our sales area. These will be available for purchase and shipping in the near future so check our website often. Thank you for loving the garden. We look forward to seeing you in the near future. With care, The RSBG

Update – 3/19/2020

Dear RSBG visitors and Members,

Like you, we find healing and comfort in nature. The garden will waive admission fees and remain open to the public until further notice. We are closely monitoring CDC and local government recommendations each day, as our status may change in this rapidly evolving situation.

In light of event cancellation mandates by Governor Inslee, we have made the difficult decision to postpone our 35th Annual Spring Plant Sale until fall 2020. We look forward to seeing you at the sale in October.  We have not canceled our other spring events at this time, however, please continue to check our website and social media pages for updated information.

Our team is taking extra measures to protect visitors, which includes a deep cleaning and disinfecting regimen. We are also closing our Visitor Center and gift shop to limit contact – if you’d like to purchase plants from the nursery, a staff member can assist you from the Visitor Center’s window register. We request that all payments are made with card instead of cash.

 

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As a primarily outdoor venue with ample fresh air to breathe, our garden continues to be a place to find peace, beauty, and solace in these uncertain times.

Wishing you good health,

Team RSBG