Sonoma Botanical Garden, Botanical garden in Glen Ellen, United States
Sonoma Botanical Garden is a sprawling garden in Glen Ellen that combines Asian woodland collections with California native oak savanna across its grounds. Walking paths connect different botanical zones, allowing visitors to explore the varied plant collections at their own pace.
Jane Davenport Jansen founded the garden in 1987 on former quarry land and launched seed-gathering expeditions to Asia that same year. These early collection efforts established the foundation for the botanical diversity visible in the garden today.
The garden displays rare plants from distant Asian regions, creating a connection to landscapes and forests that visitors could rarely experience otherwise. Walking through these areas, you encounter trees and shrubs that carry stories of wild mountain valleys and remote woodlands.
The garden welcomes visitors daily and provides self-guided tours so you can explore at your own pace. Picnic areas are available throughout the grounds for a relaxing break during your visit.
The garden protects a significant population of Acer pentaphyllum maple, a species threatened with extinction in its native China. Around 50 specimens of this rare tree thrive here, making it a meaningful refuge for the species.
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