With spring in the rearview and sunny summer upon us, local gardens are in full bloom again. If you are seeking a peaceful sanctuary in nature, a beautiful spot for a picnic, a secluded lovers’ escape, a pathway for a revitalizing stroll or simply a place where you can unwind and relax, this list of some of our favorite gardens in Sonoma County was made for you.

Asian and California Native Plants

Sonoma Botanical Garden

You can take a tranquil walk or picnic among breathtaking flowers and foliage native to Asia without leaving Sonoma County. Located just outside of Glen Ellen, Sonoma Botanical Garden (formerly Quarryhill Botanical Garden) has blossomed into an expansive showcase of plant species from Asia and California over the course of nearly 40 years. A focus on conservation has long been a part of Sonoma Botanical Garden’s ethos. Founded by Jane Davenport Jansen in 1987, the garden was started from wild seeds collected on expeditions to Asia. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 12841 Highway 12, Glen Ellen, 707-996-3166, sonomabg.org

Rhododendron, Azaleas, Camellias and more

Botanica Nursery and Gardens

Tucked away in the Hessel Area of Sebastopol, this is a nursery and a magical secret garden all in one. Rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and Japanese maples are among the many plants available for purchase at Botanica Nursery and Gardens (formerly Hidden Forest Nursery), but the highlight of a visit to the nursery just might be a walk around its verdant grounds. Walking along the two miles of trails that wind through the botanical reserve feels like a journey to an enchanted land. Guided docent tours through the 7.5 acres are also available the first and third Saturday morning of each month. Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday; other times by appointment. 3970 Azalea Lane, Sebastopol. 707-823-6832, botanicanurseryandgardens.com

Roses and Irises

Russian River Rose Company

The Russian River Rose Company’s show garden in Healdsburg features over 650 different roses and 202 irises. Guided tours can be booked for a fee to see the full splendor of the garden and its many flower varieties. Among some of the garden’s highlights are the Rose Allee (eight arches covered with climbing roses), a Butterfly Garden, an Iris Garden and a Perfume Distillery where rose water and perfume are produced. 1685 Magnolia Drive, Healdsburg. 707-433-7455, russian-river-rose.com

More Roses

Garden Valley Ranch

Situated on over 5 acres, this expansive rose farm cultivates 8,000 rosebushes. There are a variety of ways to experience Petaluma’s historic Garden Valley Ranch. You can buy tickets for a day of flower foraging when the roses are in bloom or make a reservation to stay overnight at the property’s romantic garden cottage. The venue also can be booked for weddings and private events. 498 Pepper Road, Petaluma. 707-795-0919, gardenvalley.com

Rare Plant Species

Western Hills Garden

You will not want to miss this plant lovers’ oasis in Occidental. Western Hills Garden features an array of species collected from far-off places such as Australia, South America and South Africa. Set on a 3-acre property, the garden has five ponds, 34 bridges and everything from rare conifers to endangered Chinese maples to a camellia forest. For a fee, visitors can walk through the garden on their own or book a guided tour with a group. 16250 Coleman Valley Road, Occidental. westernhillsgarden.com

Lavender

Monte-Bellaria di California

There is nothing quite like seeing lavender fields in bloom. Monte-Bellaria di California opens its lavender farm to visitors for country walks during weekends starting in April, but it’s during early summer when the lavender is in full color.  Pre-paid, timed tickets are required during this “High Bloom Season” that goes from June 2o to July 27. Though not as colorful later in the year, visitors can also take walks on weekends when the lavender aromas reach their peak during the farm’s “High Fragrance Season” from Aug. 2 through Aug. 31. 3518 Bloomfield Road, Sebastopol. 707-829-2645, monte-bellaria.com

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Sonoma’s public gardens and nurseries come alive in early summer, with a bounty of blossoms both rare and recognized. Make a day of it with your loved ones — for Mother’s or Father’s Day, a special graduation or just because.

Check out some of our favorite local public gardens below, as well as a preview of the vibrant blooms in store in the gallery above.

For rare Asian plants

Sonoma Botanical Garden

Glen Ellen

Founded in 1987 from wild seeds collected on plant expeditions all over Asia, the gardens here showcase an expansive collection of species, including many native plants from California in addition to the Asian collections. A focus on conservation has long been a part of Sonoma Botanical Garden’s ethos. Through August, the Ribbit Exhibit is a whimsical and family friendly show of largescale copper frog sculptures scattered throughout the gardens, and there’s a new native plant demonstration garden, too.

12841 Highway 12, Glen Ellen. sonomabg.org

For secret pathways

Hidden Forest Nursery

Sebastopol

With 2 miles of trails that wind through the 7.5-acre reserve, Hidden Forest Nursery feels like a magical secret garden—and a top nursery where gardeners can purchase rare varieties of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, and Japanese maples. Guided docent tours are available the first and third Saturday morning of each month.

3970 Azalea Lane, Sebastopol. 707-823-6832, hiddenforestnursery.com

To wander a labyrinth

Bees N Blooms

Santa Rosa

It’s a lavender wonderland at this sunny garden on the Santa Rosa plains. Bring a picnic, watch the baby geese, and wander a labyrinth planted with different varieties of lavender timed to bloom in the early, middle, and late season. The farm’s annual Lavender Daze visits, which require an advance ticket, start May 18. New this year, the farm stays open certain evenings for sunset lavender-viewing.

3883 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa. 707-293-8293, beesblooms.com

The dreamiest lavender

Monte-Bellaria di California

Sebastopol

There is nothing quite like the purple of a lavender field in prime bloom. Monte-Bellaria considers the time through mid-June as their “green season,” and they’re open Saturdays and Sundays, usually without an advance ticket. Starting in mid-June, the “high bloom” season, you need to purchase advance-timed tickets online. It’s worth it, though—the sweeping hillside gardens are extraordinary, and there are olive groves and beehives to learn about as well. 

3518 Bloomfield Road, Sebastopol. monte-bellaria.com

For Mother’s Day

Garden Valley Ranch

Petaluma

Other than snagging an invitation to a wedding (the 5-acre ranch hosts some of the prettiest events in the county), our favorite way to experience these gardens is visiting for Mother’s Day, when the ranch opens to families for flower foraging and BYO picnics at tables set with linen cloths and surrounded by blooms. There’s also a cottage that can be booked for overnights.

498 Pepper Road, Petaluma. 707-7950919, gardenvalley.com

For community and art

Western Hills Garden

Occidental

In 2022, Hadley Dynak and Kent Strader purchased this 3-acre historic garden, first planted over 60 years ago. The couple, their friends, and local volunteers are gently remaking the spaces and bringing in new ways to gather. In May, the owners will host a series of classes on cyanotype printmaking, and earlier this spring, they paired up with Occidental foodie favorite Morihouse to offer an equinox meal of rice, green tea, tofu, and foraged herbs.

16250 Coleman Valley Road, Occidental. westernhillsgarden.com

The post Discover the Beauty of Sonoma County’s Public Gardens This Summer appeared first on Sonoma Magazine.