What is 3 year old Alvin up to at the Fiddleheads Forest School?

Got Greens?
1)   Fokienia hodginsii     (Fokienia)

Native to China, Vietnam, and Laos
Extremely slow growing outside of native range
Specimen located in Rhododendron Glen

2)   Keteleeria evelyniana     (Keteleeria)

Native to China, Vietnam, and Laos
Thrives in warm climates, but may be considered an “herbaceous perennial” in northern climates
Specimen located in north Pinetum area

3)   Taiwania cryptomerioides     (Coffin Tree)

Native to Taiwan, China, and Vietnam
Considered “critically threatened” in native range
Specimen located near East Newton Street entrance to the Pinetum area

4)   Thujopsis dolabrata     (Lizard Tree)

Native to Japan
Thrives in moist, shady areas with rich soil
Specimen located among Acer Collection in the Woodland Garden

5)   Torreya taxifolia     (Stinking Cedar)

Native to southeastern U.S. 

This month’s photo was taken by Frederick Leissler, landscape architect to the Seattle Parks Department, labeled as 1938-39. It shows the grading to create Azalea Way.

1)  Arbutus unedo   (Strawberry Tree)

One of the many species described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1753 landmark work, Species Plantarum.
An amazing plant with 4-season interest, including fruits and flowers at the same time.
Serves as a bee plant for honey production and the fruits are food for birds.

2)  Camellia wabisuki   (Wabisuki Camellia)

A Sukiya variety with single, pinkish-white flowers and an open growth habit. 

The misty October revealed a great surprise to New Zealand horticulturist Kathleen DeMaria while she was installing signs for the new ‘Lookout Loop Trail’ near the recently restored Lookout Gazebo.

What is it about the autumn that generates so much nostalgia? A season evoking such emotion somehow always manages to pass in a blur. It marks the end of lackadaisical afternoons and the start of the annual decent into the cooler, more introspective months.  The way I see it, fall is the natural steward of the New Year. We begin afresh: in school, in season, in time. 

Kids + Cameras = Some great pictures of the University of Washington Botanic Gardens! Come see the winners of the 2013 Kids Digital Photography Contest!

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (Minus the Good)
1)  Cherry Brown Rot

A fungal disease of the Prunus species caused by Monilina fructicola and Monilina laxa.
The first symptoms often seen are browning and collapse of the blossoms, followed closely by death of the small twigs.

2)  Dogwood Anthracnose

Dogwood anthracnose is a disease of flowering and pacific dogwoods (Cornus florida and C. 

John Wott tells the story of the sweet friendship between Captain Moen of the Puget Sound Beekeepers Association and the Washington Park Arboretum. Stop by the Graham Visitor Center gift shop to purchase a jar of Arboretum Honey.

Keystone Species of New Zealand
1)   Nothofagus menziesii   (Silver Beech, Tāwhai)

Natural range: endemic to New Zealand.  Found throughout South Island.
Trunk is silvery-gray and has horizontal lines (lenticels).
Dark-green, oval leaves are glossy and have toothed edges.
Largest specimen was transplanted in Autumn 2012 with help from a very large crane.

2)   Nothofagus solandri var. cliffortioides (Mountain Beech, Tawhairauriki)

Deep green, oval leaves have a pointed tip and rolled edges.