1)    Libertia peregrinans                                                             New Zealand Iris

An iris in which each bloom only lasts a day, but blooms prolifically for several weeks. Named/honored after Mde. Maire-Anne Libert, a Belgian botanist, mycologist, and plant pathologist. Has sword-shaped leaves, only about one foot high off the ground, and easy-to- miss blooms. Found in the New Zealand Entry Garden, at the north entrance of John Wott Way (U-shaped path).

Megan Westcott

2)    Calycanthus occidentalis                                         Sweet Shrub/Spice Bush

It is very similar to its east coast/eastern relative, though the common name, Sweet Shrub doesn’t quite apply here. Chrysanthemum-shaped flowers, with the shrub growing 6-10 feet high. Found occasionally in the San Francisco Bay Area, generally north of Napa County. Many may be found throughout the Arboretum – some along the drive before the Magnolias Collection and some at the top of the Cascadia hill in the Pacific Connections Garden. A few different relatives can be found around, such as Calycanthus x raulstonii ‘Hartlage Wine’ – found at the north end of the Graham Visitors Center and at the Center for Urban Horticulture in both the Soest Herbaceous Display Garden and the Seattle Garden Club Fragrance Garden.

Megan Westcott

3)    Hydrangea heteromalla                                                       Woolly Hydrangea

Often has peel-y bark and large 8-inch long leaves. Ovate-lanceolate, 6-inch flowerheads, cream/white in color. Native to central and western China in the Yunnan Province. Has sterile flowers to attract pollinators to the not-so-showy fertile flowers. Found in the Pacific Connections Entry Garden, near the interpretive shelter.

Megan Westcott

4)   Viburnum macrocephalum                                         Snowball Viburnum

Six to 10 feet in northern areas and 12 to 15 feet in southern areas. Foliage is semi-evergreen in the southern hemisphere and more deciduous in the northern hemisphere. Often mistaken as a hydrangea, all of these flowers are sterile in cultivation of this species. Found in the Pacific Connections Entry Garden, near the interpretive shelter.

Megan Westcott

5)    Dryopteris wallichiana                                                         Alpine Wood Fern

Found in the evergreen forests of China and India at altitudes of 1,500-2,300 meters (~5,000 to 7,500 feet). Grows three to five feet wide with very showy fronds; a year round interesting fern. “Wallichiana” refers to Nathaniel Wallich, a Danish botanist. Here in the Washington Park Arboretum, it is found in the Pacific Connections, China Entry Garden.

Megan Westcott