The exquisite flower buds on this North American native shrub look like dots of frosting on a decorated cake.

The stories of people and plants are intricately intertwined.  The plants of the University of Washington Botanic Gardens have many stories to tell, and here are just a few to wet your whistle.  Explore our website at to look up and locate plants in the Arboretum and learn more of our stories.

1)  Abies grandis – Grand Fir                “Fir Above It All”

This particular tree has witnessed the entire history of the Washington Park Arboretum.  

Catherine began volunteering to lead adult tours and youth programs for the UW Botanic Gardens in 2006 and in 2011, she received the Brian Mulligan volunteer of the year award.
More recently, she became employed part-time as a Tour Program Assistant, leading tours, training and coordinating volunteer guides, and contributing to the UW Botanic Gardens blogs. Adding to her long list of skills, Catherine also now helps with the adult education program, setting up private group tours, driving the tram and helping to lead youth and family programs. 

By John A. Wott, Director Emeritus
Managing a large garden requires large equipment. Often tractors and trucks can be kept in great working order for many years, but eventually they too will need to be replaced. Shredders, mowers, and machinery with many working parts need to be replaced every few years. Machinery costs were once totally covered in state and city budgets. 

1)  Acer mandshuricum                Manchurian Maple

The Manchurian Maple is native from Eastern Siberia into China and strongly resembles Acer griseum and Acer triflorum.
This species is located in the Asian Maples Collection.

2)  Distylium racemosum                Isu Tree

The flowers of Distylium racemosum are petalless, but have attractive red calyces (whorl of sepals) and purple stamens.
The Isu tree is native to southern Japan, but can be found in the Witt Winter Garden and in our Hamamelidaceae Collection, east of Arboretum Drive near the Pacific Connections gardens. 

Spring is not typically known for its subtlety around these parts, but upon its early awakening many plants warrant a closer look. Enjoy!
1)  Acer palmatum ‘Katsura’                     Katsura Maple

One of the first Japanese maples to leaf out each spring. The small, five-lobed leaves emerge pale yellow-orange, with brighter orange margins.
Found in the semi-dwarf group of Japanese maples.
Specimen 19-10*A is located in grid 30-4E. 

Almost no one is aware that the Washington Park Arboretum is the location of two kames. “Kames, what is that?” everyone asks. Wikipedia tells us that “a kame is a geomorphological feature, an irregularly shaped hill or mound composed of sand, gravel and till that accumulates in a depression on a retreating glacier.”
Located just east of Lake Washington Boulevard E. 

The Arboretum Loop Trail is a jewel of the master plan approved in 2001.

Our native grand fir … “is usually left in the forest to make music and distill incense.”

1)  Chaenomeles cathayensis                   Chinese Quince

This deciduous shrub is native to slopes and forest margins in western Hubei Province.
Light pink flowers in spring are followed by large oblong fruit which are unpalatable raw, but make fragrant jams and jellies when cooked.
Like other quince, Chaenomeles cathayensis’ arching branches are armed with stiff thorns.
Two specimens can be seen in the old field nursery south of the Crab Apple Meadow near Arboretum Drive.