Our native Big Leaf Maples, Acer macrophyllum, are currently covered with dangling flowers.  Right now is one of my favorite times to view these giant native trees because the effect of all these flowers in the trees is stunning.   The flower clusters are about 4 inches long and 1 inch thick and because the tree has not foliated yet, they pop out like bright yellow/green ornaments. 

“Now it will Spring forth!”
1)  Acer macrophyllum    (Bigleaf maple)

Taken for granted around here, this time of year our Bigleaf maple is most eye-catching in flower.
It’s the subtle texture of its expanding leaf that drew my attention.
Located throughout our native matrix as the dominant deciduous forest tree.

2)  Aesculus wangii

A horse chestnut classified as vulnerable in its native habitat of Vietnam. 

1) Azara dentata

Native to temperate and subtropical Chile.
Bears gold spring time flowers.
Located in the Pacific Connections Chilean Entry Garden.

2) Liriodendron chinense

A smaller Chinese version of the North American native tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera).
Known for its unique leaf shape and tulip-shaped flower.
Located in the Magnolia Collection.

3) Rehderodendron macrocarpum           

A small deciduous tree native to China. 

According to Cliff Mass, UW meteorologist, our past winter of 2012-2013 was the most “boring” on record. There were no major weather events such as wind storms, artic blasts, snowfalls in the lowlands or major flooding. This was indeed good news for the UWBG horticulture staff.

Most visitors experiencing the beauty of our historic Azalea Way flowering cherries from now through May probably have no idea of how intensive maintaining their health and prolonging their longevity truly is for the UW Botanic Gardens horticulture staff.

The Red or Swamp Maple, Acer rubrum, is always noticed for its intense flame color in the fall, but I love these trees best right now – when they are covered in flowers prior to foliation.
From a distance the light gray bark of the tree sets off the pink & maroon flowers creating a stunning effect – it’s as if the tree is full of red fuzz.   

Pacific Connections Garden
1)  Corokia x virgata    ‘Sunsplash’

An odd shrub from New Zealand with variegated foliage and wiry, twisty branches.
This carefree evergreen tolerates some dry and looks great in containers.
Specimens can be found in the New Zealand Entry Garden.

2)  Grevillea victoriae

Fine-textured foliage, long thin flower clusters and drought tolerance make these evergreen shrubs very popular.
Also known as Royal Grevillea, it is endemic to parts of Victoria in Australia. 

The 2.5 acre New Zealand focal forest construction project is scheduled to be completed by the end of June. Planting will begin in June. There will be approximately 10,000 total plants representing over 90 taxa for the 9 plant communities that will be represented.

1)  Camellia japonica  ‘High Hat’

One of our earlier-flowering Japanese camellias.
This specimen can be found along the west side of Arboretum Drive near the construction zone detour.

2)  Pieris japonica  ‘Valentine’s Day’

Showing its large panicles of pink flowers.
Can be found on Azalea Way just south of the Lilacs.

3)  Rhododendron floribundum

Native to the Szechwan Province of China. 

The Woodland Park Zoo, in collaboration with several other local organizations, is working with volunteers to survey amphibian egg masses in local ponds and wetlands, including the Arboretum. Volunteers began 2013 monitoring in February. Already they have discovered loads of live Tree Frog eggs and possible Northern Red-legged Frog eggs in the upper pond of the Woodland Garden area! To read more about the program, scroll down to the “Amphibian Monitoring 2013” story on this page.