Each country has its own traditions associated with the new year. For Vietnamese families, we love to decorate our homes with the yellow Mai flower (Ochna integerrima). As if on cue, the buds push forth an explosion of delicate golden flowers during the days leading up to Lunar New Years, called Tết in Vietnamese. Read more about the legend surrounding the beautiful Mai flower.

A champion tree is the largest tree of a species. These trees are measured using the American Forests points (AF points) which is calculated based on the trunk circumference, the height, and the average crown spread to give a point value.  The Arboretum has many champion trees which were identified by Robert Van Pelt in his 2003 book, “Champion Trees of Washington State”.  

1)  Betula albosinensis var. septentrionalis                           Chinese Red Birch

These beautiful birches show off the delicate pink, cream, and copper colors of their peeling bark in the Witt Winter Garden.
The delicate twigs of the birch shed snow, while the trunk bark glows in comparison to the white.
“Septentrionalis” generally means “northern” and refers to the seven oxen which make up the Ursa Major constellation in the northern sky. 

1)   Malus  ‘Adirondack’                                                                  Adirondack Crabapple

A small deciduous, sun-loving tree with multi-seasonal interest.
Mass amounts of dark pink buds open to form large fragrant white blossoms in late spring as new foliage emerges.
After flowering, it becomes heavily laden with seemingly glowing, pink, cherry-like fruit which last well into winter.
Rightfully so, this stunning little tree has received the “Award of Garden Merit” from the Royal Horticultural Society. 

Around The Farm

All over the nation many individuals and families will be celebrating Thanksgiving this week. What that looks like depends on a number of things, including where you live, access to food, and history of your culture.  There are regional differences and different views on this holiday.
November is also Native American Heritage Month and as a result many valuable sources of this American (or European) tradition are readily available. 

1)   Cedrus libani ‘Nana’                                                                 Dwarf Cedar of Lebanon

Cedar of Lebanon forests once covered vast areas of the eastern Mediterranean, but 5,000 years of human impacts have left wild populations restricted to mountainous regions of Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon.
The resin from the Cedrus libani was used by Egyptians for embalming their dead.
This dwarf cultivar usually grows to about 15 feet tall and wide, while the species can reach over 100 feet tall. 

1)   Corokia cotoneaster                                                          Wire-netting Bush

The common name of this species of Corokia aptly describes its wiry branches and tangled growth form. Growing into a dense bush of 1-3 meters, it has small dark-green or bronze leaves.
A native of New Zealand, C. cotoneaster is found in dry and stony places throughout its homeland, and is extremely tolerant of dry and exposed conditions. 

Although Dr. John A. Wott, retired Professor Emeritus, Urban Horticulture at the University of Washington and former Washington Park Arboretum Director, recently passed at the age of 82, his work and his plants continue on at the Arboretum. His garden was full of rare, unusual, and fascinating plants and these are a few of the plants that were donated to the Arboretum by Dr. 

1)         Cotinus obovatus                                                           American Smoketree

One of the earliest and most stunning of fall color plants, the leaves of Cotinus obovatus become a palette of orange, purple and crimson.
One specimen can be seen along Arboretum Drive, just south of the Graham Visitor Center.  Another specimen that is already in full glory is located on Azalea Way near the southern intersection of the Arboretum Loop Trail. 

1)   Schefflera delavayi                                                                 Delavay’s Schefflera

Unlike the Schefflera houseplant that may seem familiar to some, this interesting character is cold hardy and grows exceptionally well in outdoor Pacific Northwest settings.
Bold evergreen leaves form an umbrella-like canopy. As the new leaves slowly develop, they are covered in tan indumentum, but eventually become a beautiful dark green.
Pale yellow flower spikes reaching upwards of three feet emerge in early autumn for a unique display.