COVID-19 FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions

As of May 18, 2020

Are you open?

Yes, we are open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Will you be open after the ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ order goes into effect on Wednesday, March 25th at midnight?

Yes, thankfully, we will continue to remain open. The State of Washington includes garden stores and nurseries in the state’s ‘Essential Workforce’ list under the classification of OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS. Within that category, we are included as one of the ‘Commercial Retail Stores that supply essential sectors, including…garden stores and nurseries that support food cultivation and production…’

What is the best way to inquire about plant availability?

We are receiving a high volume of phone calls, emails, and social messages right now, and we are striving to answer your questions while providing you with excellent service. At this time, the best method to inquire about plant availability is to email Staff.Christiansons@gmail.com. Inquiries are reviewed and replied to on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please allow up to 24 hours for a reply from our staff.

Is Christianson’s busy?

Our business is exceptionally busy right now and fortunately, there’s plenty of outdoor space for all to maintain a social distance between each other. Research has shown that by wearing a mask it lessens the chances of emitting the coronavirus while also protecting individuals from contracting it. Because of that, our staff wears masks even while practicing social distancing and we appreciate it when our customers do the same.

What specific adjustments have you made to help keep it a safe place to visit?

Every day we do thorough bleach wipe-downs of commonly used public areas, such as the checkout counters, credit card machines, door handles, and knobs, restrooms, etc., and we do this each morning, evening, and throughout the day. As a preventative measure, we’ve installed plexiglass shields at each checkout as well as a botanical berm between the Garden Store cash wrap and you to help reinforce the six-foot spacial requirement. We have added a handwashing station in our Propagation greenhouse (in addition to our two restrooms) and have also added an outdoor checkout station near the Garden Store that is used during busy days.

Are you offering curbside service?

Yes! You can email your order to Staff.Christiansons@gmail.com. The more specific you can be with your order, the better! Please include the plant name(s), the size(s) desired, the quantity needed, and any backup options if your first choice is unavailable. If you’re shopping for roses or fruit trees, you can refer to our 2020 Fruit Tree List and Rose List 2020. Be sure to include your phone number in case we have questions, and we will begin hand-selecting your plants.

We will contact you when your order is ready, take your payment over the phone, and arrange a pick-up time. Curbside orders may be picked up in our convenient loading zone area located in our front parking lot. Please allow up to 48 hours for order turnarounds and arrive at the Nursery (only) after receiving your pick-up confirmation from our staff.

If you don’t have internet access or are unable to send an email, simply call the Garden Store to place your order 360-466-3821.

Are you offering plant deliveries?

Not at this time. However, we continue to evaluate the best ways to offer this service.

Christianson’s Curbside Pick-Up Service

Christianson’s Nursery is considered an “essential business” by Governor Inslee and remains open daily, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To further accommodate our customer convenience and safety, we are now offering a curbside pick-up service!

Here’s how it works: Email your order to Staff.Christiansons@gmail.com. The more specific you can be with your order, the better! Please include the plant name(s), the size(s) desired, the quantity needed, and any backup options if your first choice is unavailable. If you’re shopping for roses or fruit trees, you can refer to our 2020 Fruit Tree List and Rose List 2020. Be sure to include your phone number in case we have questions, and we will begin hand-selecting your plants.

If you don’t have internet access or are unable to send an email, simply call the Garden Store to place your order 360-466-3821.

Read answers from our customer’s frequently asked questions about COVID-19

Skagit Symphony’s 2020 Garden Tour Canceled

Skagit Symphony’s Garden Tour Cancelled

With regret, the Skagit Symphony Garden Tour is canceled for this year in hopes to further support our local community’s recovery during this trying time. We continue to share this wonderful story behind the making of Toni and John Christianson’s personal garden and look forward to the return of next year’s Garden Tour.

From the personal garden of Toni and John Christianson

Toni and John started planting the gardens that surround their 1872 farmhouse in 1995. They both grew up enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables from their parent’s gardens and so their decision to plant a small orchard in the very back of their two acres was an easy one. From that small start 25 years ago, their garden has continued to grow in erratic fashion depending on their time but, more importantly, their agreement on design. After working out the design of their vegetable garden, it was planted next to the orchard within a 50 x 50-foot space. Raised beds made of stacked rubble make up three sections of the garden and a small greenhouse and potting shed make up the fourth section of the quadrant. Agreeing on the need for a playground for children and grandchildren they installed a grand double swing and salvaged schoolhouse slide next to the veggie garden. Moving forward to the garden behind the house was one of the design challenges for the couple as was the garden outside the front door. John likes unusual trees and shrubs while Toni likes cottage gardens. Their final agreement came with a separation of space. John took the space outside the immediate gardens that are in front and back of their house. Together they decided on the fences and hedges that separate each of their gardens and then designing and planting went on slowly but peacefully for the next 20 years. Toni planted the colorful front garden and all-white back garden with old varieties of primroses, bulbs, lilacs, peonies, fragrant roses, and an assortment of other old-fashioned perennials. John planted the spaces around these more formal gardens with many trees and shrubs he considers underused in home gardens, including Magnolia seiboldii, Catsura, Stachyurus praecox, and Strawberry Tree while leaving in place old lilac trees and a nearly 100-year-old Gravenstein apple tree original to the property. The length of the east side of the property is pasture for Shetland sheep and a small flock of Rhode Island Red chickens. The rest of their animals include a collie named Sophie and a cat named Toby along with catch and release trespassers of raccoons, possums, rabbits, and the occasional weasel. Deer and Bald Eagles are another story. Toni and John play an ongoing game of protecting the plants from the deer and the chickens from the eagles. Sophie was supposed to be the answer, but she loves wildlife as much as they do.

Rent Mason Bees Event Offer

Bee Amazed!!

A Mason Bee Offer from RentMasonBees.com

In lieu of our Springtime Mason bee event, our friends at Rent Mason Bees are offering a coupon for starter kits to “bee” mailed to your home! Kits include up to 60 mason bee cocoons (that will hatch once you put them out in your garden) and everything you need for successful pollination. At check out, please use coupon code “GARDEN” for $10! RentMasonBees.com

Rent Mason Bees supplies pollination kits that contain safe, local bees to provide a sustainable and economical solution for gardeners, fruit growers, and farmers.

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Elegant Garden Weddings at Christianson’s Nursery

Welcome to Christianson’s Nursery and Greenhouse

Conveniently located minutes off the I-5 corridor, The Garden Venue at Christianson’s Nursery & Greenhouse sits among the fertile terroir of the Skagit Valley farmlands. From our manicured gardens and rural acreage on the Best Road, guests enjoy expansive views of majestic Mount Baker to the east and sunsets over the quaint town of La Conner and the San Juan Islands to the west. A desirable location for destination weddings, our beautiful gardens, historic architectural buildings, and authentically restored glass greenhouses are considered a favorite among Pacific Northwest garden enthusiasts.

Christianson’s Schoolhouse and Gardens

Built-in the year 1888, the 600 square foot Meadow Schoolhouse has been lovingly restored and positioned within a picture-perfect English-style rose and perennial garden. The expansive display gardens guide guests along with manicured grass lawns through a rose collector’s dream. Experience the quintessential natural beauty of our established northwest garden filled with scents of notable modern and old-fashioned roses. You and your guests will be surrounded by the colorful and fragrant blooms of companion plants, odoriferous shrubs, mature boxwood hedges, all surrounded by sentinel deciduous and evergreen trees. The Schoolhouse’s approximate capacity allows for 50 seated, 10 standing guests, and the Rose Garden’s (located outside behind the Schoolhouse) approximate capacity allows for 150 guests.

Like and follow our social pages! @ChristiansonsWeddings on Facebook and @Christiansons_Weddings on Instagram

The Teacher’s Cottage

Nestled into the southwest corner of the display gardens, The Teacher’s Cottage stands as another cherished nod to Skagit Valley’s rich history. The rustic cottage is adorned with antique furnishings and vintage accents. A quaint little cottage decorated in romantic tones and feminine finds, the cottage beckons bridal parties to gather in preparation for a very special day. Private washrooms are made available for our guests in this private event space.

The Oak Room

A leisurely stroll past the mini-farm, guests will enjoy a visit with Rosie the llama and her diminutive goat and red hen friends. The Oak Room is styled with masculine overstuffed leather chairs, antique decor, and a working vintage icebox ready to store snacks and refreshing beverages. The groom and his party will enjoy the casual out-of-doors setting and the views from the Old Granary loading dock in the shade of the old fir trees.

The Front House and Adjoining Propagation House

Additional venue space is made available during evenings (6 to 10 p.m.) inside our beautifully restored glasshouses which feature the seasonal year-round blooming foliage of annuals, nursery plants, and hanging baskets. The subtle cooing of the paired doves in the fully restored 1946 Propagation house is a perfect backdrop for photoshoots, cocktail receptions, and intimate sit down dinners. (Indoors approximate capacity: 50 seated, 75 standing.)

The Vinery

The Vinery will offer a grander space for your special occasions. We will share more about the availability of this special venue as we get closer to the opening date. Thank you!

Tours

Christianson’s invites you to come out for a tour and explore our unique offerings to host weddings, bridal showers, and special private or public events. Contact us or call for a personal tour at 360-466-3821.

Complimentary Accessories:
*Eight-foot Mercantile table (perfect for bar or catering placement)
*2, six-foot banquet tables
*Antique Podium
*4-6′ Rustic Benches
*Wi-Fi access
*AV equipment
*Restrooms
*Kitchen facilities with walk-in cooler for storage
*Dedicated parking space for food vendors adjacent to Schoolhouse and Rose Garden
*Access to the Nursery’s hand restored glass greenhouses accentuated with antique finials for photography
*Plentiful parking

CEREMONY & EVENT/RECEPTION CAPACITY: Christianson’s Schoolhouse seats 50 guests and our English-styled Rose Garden accommodates up to 150 seated guests.

Single Day Rental

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday: $1,600.00

Friday: $1,850.00

Saturday or Sunday: $2,200.00

Two-Day Rentals

Monday/Tuesday, Tuesday/Wednesday, Wednesday/Thursday: $2,800.00

Thursday and Friday: $3,300.00

Friday and Saturday: $3,650.00

Saturday and Sunday: $4,000.00

Alcohol:
Allowed, permit necessary

Catering:
Kitchen available with walk-in cooler
Food Truck
Off-site catering

Availability:
Year-round, with the exception of unavailability during the busy nursery months of April and May, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Included Accessories: The Venue at Christianson’s Nursery & Greenhouse includes the use of 60 wooden foldable chairs, two (2) 8-foot banquet tables, four (4) wooden benches, one antique podium, lawn furniture, and kitchen access. The mercantile table and bookshelves are permanent fixtures in the schoolhouse and should not be removed. Note: Additional vintage fixtures and furnishings (tables, candelabra, wrought iron arbor, floral bucket, and plant stands) are available to rent for an additional fee.

Specs of the Venue:
Meadow Schoolhouse (20′ x 30′)
Sweeping grass lawn (80 square feet)

Outdoor Electricity:
SW exterior of Schoolhouse
The east exterior of Bridal Cottage
Adjacent to food truck parking

Extended Location Uses:
Gardening Classes
Wedding Receptions
Special Events, Parties
Business Functions/Meetings
Garden Clubs and Society Meetings
Garden Events

Upcoming Events