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. 

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. 

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. 

“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. 

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. 

1)   Rhododendron spp.           Azalea

Azaleas are in the genus Rhododendron, with evergreen azaleas in the subgenus Tsutsusi and deciduous azaleas in the subgenus Pentanthera.
The Olmstead Brothers originally planned for 11,000 azaleas to be planted along Azalea Way. More than 3,100 have been planted and over 2,000 remain.
Azalea Way contains 21 species of azalea and more than 200 hybrids.

2)  Tsuga heterophylla           Western Hemlock

Our native western hemlocks are currently laden with new female cones which are deep purple when immature. 

Earth Day 2014
On Saturday, April 12th, over 220 people joined together at Washington Park Arboretum to celebrate Earth Day with SCA! The day began with Seattle mayor Ed Murray, SCA founder Liz Putnam, current SCA student Diana Furukawa, and others celebrating the day and imploring volunteers to consider the effects of climate change and to take action in their communities. 

1)   Melicytus angustifolius

This southern hemisphere Violaceae relative thrives in rocky places in mountains or on coasts, or in evergreen forests.
Is ‘dioecious’ or ‘of two houses’ in Greek translation; male and female flowers are present on separate plants.

2)   Erica arborea var. alpina

Found along the southern end of Arboretum Drive, this is one of the older collections in the Washington Park Arboretum, dating back to 1947. 

Rhododendron macabeanum is one of the finest big leaved Rhododendron species and has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award Of Garden Merit.  It has large yellow/white flowers often blotched purple inside with an interesting bright pink stigma.  The leaves are a dark glossy green and about 1′ in length with a light colored indumentum on the underside.  It also bears a nice silvery young leaf and bright red bud scales. 

1)  Berberis x lologensis

A natural hybrid of B. darwinii and B. linearifolia originally found near Lake Lolog, Argentina in 1927
If you can get past the thorns, enjoy the rich, spicy fragrance.
Located in grid 14-6E near Arboretum Drive.

 
 
2)  Acer tegmentosum  ‘Joe Witt’

This striped-bark maple is named for former Arboretum Director Joseph Witt.
Located in the Witt Winter Garden and on Arboretum Drive in the Peonies.