The Rutgers Gardens are open 8:30 a.m. till dusk, year-round.
Rutgers Gardens is a self-sustaining operation and relies on your support for maintaining the Gardens, purchasing equipment and materials, supporting salaries, and providing public programs. Funds are raised through facility rental fees, special events, membership dues and donations from our generous supporters. We are one of the few botanical gardens in the country that does not charge a visitor’s fee and is open 365 days a year.
Rutgers Gardens cultivates inquisitive minds, great plants, and inspired gardening through educational exploration and enjoyment.
Initially intended as a winter shelter for honeybee colonies in the 1940's, this aggressive form of evergreen bamboo (Phyllostachys nuda) has evolved and spread into a large grove. Evergreen and hardy to -15 degrees Fahrenheit, this bamboo produce new culms each season that grow to 30' plus in a matter of weeks! Each culm has a longevity of 5 to 7 years, at which point it is removed in order to keep the grove looking at its best.
The bamboo grove features a winding path and a bridge over a small stream. Always changing throughout the seasons, this grove never fails to transfix, calm and amuse the many visitors!