Hydrangea is a genus of over 75 species and 600 named cultivars that are native to a wide range of regions and countries including Japan, Asia, Indonesia, Himalayan Mountains, and the Americas. The name “Hydrangea” stems from the Greek words, hydor meaning “water” and aggeion meaning “vessel”, in reference to the cup-like capsular fruit.
1) Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Madame Emile Mouillere’                                                                                                                                                         Madame Emile Mouillere Hydrangea

This award-winning Hydrangea was bred in France over 100 years ago. 

After 29 years, our incredible, show-stopping Nolina nelsonii specimen is flowering at the Center for Urban Horticulture!

1)  Fuchsia magellanica                                                           Tree Fuchsia

Native to the southern coast of South America.
It has a notable orange, flaky bark and this particular shrub in the Arboretum has light pink blooms with a purple shade underneath.
Found near the intersection of Lake Washington Boulevard and Arboretum Drive, across from the Stone Cottage.

2)  Lobelia tupa                                                                           Devil’s Tobacco

Native to central Chile, the Mapuche of southern Chile consider it a sacred plant. 

Spring may delight us with color, but throughout the year we can appreciate other sensory elements in Washington Park Arboretum’s collections. Leaves and blooms can give off powerful aromas. Texture and plant shape can provide a sense of drama or reverie. Enjoy all your senses with these plant choices!
1)   Magnolia sieboldii                                                                     Oyama Magnolia

Egg-shaped in bud, the white nodding flowers have a crimson stamen and leaves behind a showy pink fruit. 

It may not feel like it after such a rainy, cool spring, but the Solstice on June 21st marks the start of summer!  Although spring flowers are now behind us, plenty more have been blooming to welcome in the summer months.  Celebrate the beginning of summer at the Arboretum by viewing these seasonal favorites.
1)   Rosa rugosa  ‘Wasagaming’                                                  Wasagaming Rose

This rose is a hybrid with showy, cool pink blossoms appearing in early summer and a strong floral fragrance. 

A fantastic group of volunteers has recently spent weeks weeding blackberry and ivy out of a group of collections north of the bus turnaround and south of parking lot #4 along the easternmost trail near the Broadmoor fence. The volunteers spread many truckloads of mulch in the area to help suppress future weed growth. This post is dedicated to the Monday Volunteer Group and highlights some of the interesting plants in this area. 

As the Environmental Justice Intern for the Spring quarter, it was my goal to host an event to introduce people to the Farm and have them feel welcomed. The intended guests for this event were people of color, and specifically, registered student organizations focusing on marginalized identities. In recent history, outdoor spaces have been viewed, and statistically found, as white spaces. 

Imagine you walk deep into a woodland in Japan, the Hokkaido region, and along a rocky creek side you see these small clouds of nodding bell-shaped flowers. Hues of pink, maybe yellow, some with striations of red (hence it’s English common name, red-veined enkianthus).

1)   Corokia cotoneaster                                                            Wire-netting Bush

The common name of this species of Corokia aptly describes its wiry branches and tangled growth form.  In late spring, small, fragrant yellow flowers are produced singly or in clusters up to four.
Several specimens of this and the following selections are currently in bloom throughout the Pacific Connections New Zealand Garden.

2)   Phyllocladus alpinus                                                              Mountain toatoa

P. 

1)  Sequoiadendron giganteum                                                 Sierra Redwood

These impressive trees are scattered around Seattle and West Seattle.
The grove on the western border of the Pinetum is worth a visit (located at: 101-48-K).  Feel the “vibe”!

2)   Platanus orientalis                                                                 Oriental Plane

This is a excellent urban tree.
You’ve probably zoomed past a good example many times along the Lake Washington Boulevard (located at: 31-54-C).