For many years, Lake Washington and correspondingly, Union Bay, had quite variable levels throughout the year.

When asked what homeowners should do with leaves falling from trees growing in city gardens, Chris Watson, Washington Park Arboretum Arborist definitively stated, “it depends!” Is the best mulch for a tree its own leaves? Or does that spread disease and pests? Chris Watson gives an expert’s point of view.

1)   Euonymus hamiltonianus subsp. sieboldiana                      (Siebold’s  Euonymus)

Native to the eastern Himalaya 1
Ornamental seed pods on display in autumn months 2
Specimen located in the Spindle Tree Collection

 
2)   Illicium henryi      (Henry Anise Tree)

Native to western China 1
Red summer flowers turn to star-shaped fruits in autumn
Specimen located along Upper Trail near the Asiatic Maple Collection

3)   Lithocarpus henryi      (Longleaf Chinquapin)

Native to central China 1
Notable for “laurel-like, narrow, glossy leaves” 2
Specimen located along the Lower Trail near the Sino-Himalayan Hillside

4)   Osmanthus yunnanensis      (Chinese Osmanthus)

Native to southern China 1
“Less cold-hardy” than other Osmanthus species in Seattle 2
Specimen located in the Sino-Himalayan Hillside

5)   Polyspora kwangsiensis      (Fried Egg Plant)

Relative of the Camellia and Stewartia 1
Camellia-like flowers appear in autumn 1
Specimen located along Upper Trail near the Camellia Collection

 
1 Bean, W. 

Here at the UW Farm, we are very invested in building a strong community with the participants of the Farm. This community doesn’t stop after you graduate. We love checking in with students who have graduated to see what they’re up to now. Once a month, we will be posting profiles of UW Farm alumni.
Name: Kay Chai
Graduation Class: 2014
Major in Psychology (B.S)
Minor in Philosophy

How were you involved with the Farm? 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1)   Franklinia alatamaha

Native to the Alatamaha River, Georgia, and discovered in the late 18th.
Genus contains just one species, and has long been extinct in the wild. Today’s plants all descend, it is believed, from those cultivated in Philadelphia under the name chosen by William Bartram in honor of Benjamin Franklin. 

Come eat with us! We are gearing up for for dinner on October 23, and you’re invited! Round up your friends and family for a fun-filled evening at the farm, located at the Center for Urban Horticulture. There will be games, pumpkin carving, a food preservation demo and, of course, food!
You’ll be treated to a knockout meal, incorporating UW Farm produce, from the chefs at Chaco Canyon Café. 

Over 100 volunteers teamed up on September 19th on six projects that included spreading 218 yards of mulch, salvaging 150 sword ferns and grubbing out truckloads of invasive blackberry. Thank you to every one involved in the Day of Caring!
2014 United Way Day of Caring Debrief
Sept 19, 2014 9a-1p
Participating partners:
Arboretum Foundation – volunteer recruitment and organizer
UW Botanic Gardens – project management (5 projects), equipment and supplies
Seattle Parks and Recreation (1 project), equipment and supplies
 
UWBG Projects Details:

Pacific Connections Garden-New Zealand Forest

Led by Kathleen DeMaria and Annie Bilotta
80 yards of mulch spread. 

One of the most interesting rockeries in the Washington Park Arboretum is located just below and north of the now restored Lookout.

1)    Alnus glutinosa ssp. betuloides
Birch-leaved Alder

Native to the mountains of eastern Turkey.
Listed as a threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Autumn brings pendulous male catkins and the mature female cones.

 
2)   Catalpa x erubescens        Indian Bean Tree

Uncommon tree with fetching, large, chocolate-purple young leaves that turn green.
Late summer brings masses of creamy white flowers flecked with yellow. 

This past April the Camellia area of the Washington Park Arboretum was paid a scientific visit by UW SEFS professor Dr. Darlene Zabowski and students from her Advanced Soil Genesis and Classification course (SEFS 513).