828 posts in News

June Color Appears at the Washington Park Arboretum (Part II)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1)   Erhetia dicksonii

Ornamental tree from Asia with corky bark and fragrant white terminal cymes.
Located along path heading up to Rhododendron Glen from Azalea Way, grid 15-1E.
Go to link below for thorough description and uses.
http://www.arthurleej.com/p-o-m-July07.html

2)   Holodiscus discolor      (Ocean Spray)

My favorite summer flowering Pacific Northwest native deciduous shrub. 

Read more

iSchool Capstone: Improving the visitor experience with an app

UW Information School graduates researched and designed a mobile app to enrich the experience of Arboretum visitors. Team member Sarai Dominguez reflects on discovering visitors’ information needs .

Read more

iSchool Capstone: Designing an app for Arboretum visitors

Leveraging the recently developed interactive map of the Arboretum’s plant collection UW Information School graduates researched and designed a mobile app. Team member Loryn Lestz shares her experience.

Read more

June Color Appears at the Washington Park Arboretum

1)  Hydrangea macrophylla   ‘Madame Emile Mouillere’

A blizzard white beauty all summer, long considered the best white mop head.
A charming companion to evergreen shrubs.
A beautiful 70-year old specimen graces the Hydrangea Collection along the Arboretum Drive.

2)  Leucothoe davisiae      (Sierra Laurel)

Native to the mountains of northern California and southern Oregon.
One of 4,000 species in the Ericaceae family. 

Read more

Buzza-Ruzza, Buzza-Ruzza: A Visit from The Bee Lady

Most have us have been stung by a wasp or bee at some point in our lives, and many of us have an innate fear of flying insects with stingers. Personally, I was stung almost every year of my life between about the ages of 5 and 18. It never swayed me from spending all my free time outside, but I did cower at the familiar buzzing sound of nearby wasps. 

Read more

A glimpse into the past – a view of MOHAI before SR 520

By John A. Wott, Director Emeritus
This photo of the Montlake Section in the Washington Park Arboretum was taken September 10, 1953. The label states that you are “looking NE down the site of the canal fill, with the Museum of History and Industry in the background.” It is suspected that the small trees on the right are Japanese Cherry trees, which were later moved into the Quad on the University of Washington campus. 

Read more

May Color Appears at the Washington Park Arboretum (Part III)

1)    Crataegus crus-galli        Cockspur Hawthorn

Native to eastern North America, this small deciduous tree has a pleasant habit and is now showing off its small white flowers, but don’t get too close!  The rigid thorns can be up to three inches long.
Hawthorns are classified within the plant family Rosaceae, and are allied to Cotoneaster, Mespilus, and Pyracantha.
This specimen is located on the east side of Lake Washington Boulevard, just north of the Boyer Parking Lot. 

Read more

$1 Seed Packets at the Miller Library

Did you know that the Miller Library has  fresh seed packets collected from Hardy Plant Society of Washington member gardens? And that they are only $1 per packet? And that proceeds benefit the Miller Library? Come get them before they are gone! 

Read more

May Color Appears at the Washington Park Arboretum (Part II)

“That’s Ancient History”
1)   Cedrus libani      (Cedar of Lebanon)

The Cedar of Lebanon has been prized for its high quality timber, oils and resins for thousands of years.
It was used by the Phoenicians and Egyptians and was mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh.
Because of its significance, the word “cedar” is mentioned 75 times in the Bible, and played a pivotal role in the cementing of the Phoenician-Hebrew relationship. 

Read more

A glimpse into the past: a 1950’s view from the lookout

By John A. Wott, Director Emeritus
This photograph, taken on April 4, 1950, is located somewhere to the left of the location of the Lookout Shelter. It points southwest. Originally, the hillside held a large collection of Ceanothus, but they were killed during severe winters and never replaced. If one looks closely you can see “tracks” on Azalea Way, the outline of Arboretum Creek, and East Lake Washington Boulevard. 

Read more
Back to Top