Virginia L. Morell was an avid gardener, president of the American Holly Society, Arboretum Foundation board member, and volunteer at the Washington Park Arboretum.  Virginia and Jean L. Haigh started the Arboretum ‘Saplings’ Program, which they ran for two years.  This program was taken over by UW Botanic Gardens Youth and Family Education and now serves thousands of school children each year. 

This noteworthy shrub has unusual flowers, bold leaves and a tidy habit. Why not grow it in your part-shade garden?

1)  Clerodendrum bungei                                                                            Rose Glory Bower

Rose Glory Bower (of the Lamiaceae family) is native to China and northern India.
This shrub spreads aggressively by root suckers and has become invasive in the South.
The rosy-red flowers are very showy and fragrant and attractive to butterflies.
You can find Clerodendrum bungei along Azalea Way below the Winter Garden.

 
 
 
 
 
 
2)   Hydrangea serrata ‘Blue Bird’                                                        Blue Bird Hydrangea

The Blue Bird Hydrangea was an Royal Horticulture Society Award of Merit winner in 1960. 

1)   Fuchsia magellanica                                                                     Hardy Fuchsia

The stunning display of pink flowers currently on Fuchsia magellanica are enjoyed by hummingbirds and humans.
This widely cultivated small ornamental shrub is native to Argentina and Chile.
You can find this and other Fuchsia sp. blooming in the Pacific Connections Garden.

 
 
 
 
2)   Lagerstroemia ‘Natchez’                                                         Natchez Crape Myrtle

An attractive small deciduous tree with slender, mottled stems. 

Consider growing this handsome oak in your Northwest garden.

1)  Ozothamnus rosmarinifolius    ‘Silver Jubilee’

The silvery foliage serves as a lovely backdrop for the dense clusters of white flowers in spring.
This shrub can grow to about four feet tall and wide and is a member of the Asteraceae family.
You can find Ozothamnus rosmarinifolius ‘Silver Jubilee’ blooming in the Australian portion of the Pacific Connections Garden.

 
 
 
 
 
 
2)   Callistemon pityoides  (Mt. 

1)  Buddleja globosa                        Orange Ball Buddleja

This Chilean large and lanky quasi-evergreen shrub comes true to name when in flower.
It is now festooned with 8-10 fragrant orange ball-shaped flowers arranged in terminal panicles.
Hummingbirds are fun to watch while hovering and feeding over each “ball” for several seconds.
You can view several blooming now in our Pacific Connections Chilean Gateway Garden. 

The Pacific Connections Garden (PCG), found at the southern end of the Arboretum, is a place that spurs the floristic imagination. Visitors traverse hemispheres and continents while moseying through gardens that showcase plant communities from specific regions in New Zealand, China, Cascadia, Chile, and Australia. In a short walk it’s possible to pass through our version of the New Zealand high country, continue on to the Cascadia garden, featuring plants native to the Siskiyou mountains, and finish with our representation of the wine palm and monkey puzzle laden temperate rainforests of Southern Chile. 

Native Ground Covers in Bloom
1)  Trillium ovatum                                                                                          Pacific Trillium

The three white petals of Trillium are always a sign of spring.  As they age, the petals turn pink.
These native wildflowers are common under-story plants in our woods.
The seeds of Trillium contain a substance attractive to ants who act as seed dispersers.
Scattered populations of Trillium bloom throughout the native areas of the Arboretum. 

1)   Acer palmatum ‘Katsura’                                                             Japanese Maple

Japanese maples have been cultivated in Japan for over 300 years. While they are most known for their stunning fall colors, I personally enjoy them as much in the spring for their new leaf color.
‘Katsura’ is a cultivar which appears to have bright orange new leaves, but on closer inspection, the leaves are bright yellow with a red margin.