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. 

Witt Winter Garden

1) Chimonanthus praecox           Wintersweet

Wintersweet is in the allspice family of Calycanthaceae.
The sulfur-yellow flowers are intensely fragrant and are born on bare stems.
This winter garden favorite is native to China.

2) Ganya x issaquahensis            Hybrid Silktassel

This natural hybrid, between G. elliptica and G. fremontii, is native to the western U.S.
The showy male catkins will soon produce large amounts of yellow pollen. 

Say goodbye to the “ramps to nowhere.” As part of the new 520 bridge construction project, the ramps will be coming down. As announced in a recent press conference, WSDOT will pay Seattle Parks and Recreation  $7.8 million for mitigation projects in the Arboretum.  These projects include the design and construction of a 1-mile multi-use trail, as well as improvements to Azalea Way Pond, parts of Arboretum Creek, and Foster Island. 

“Scratch and Sniff”
1)  Abies amabilis (Pacific Silver Fir)

Pacific Northwestern native growing up to 250 feet tall in the wild, but is often short-lived in gardens.
Its crushed needles smell like orange peel.
The easiest of the Arboretum specimens to find is on the Upper Trail below the Peony bed.

2)  Cupressus goveniana var. pygmaea (Mendocino Cypress)

The “pygmy” stature occurs in this tree’s native habitat: infertile ancient sand dunes above the Pacific Ocean near Mendocino. 

“Judge a Plant by Its Cover”:  Twigs and Bark
1)   Acer buergerianum (Trident Maple) – photo of trunk (to the right)

Move over Stewartia pseudocamellia, at least for the time being.
Exceptional mottled flakey, lighter gray-brown bark on this young Asian maple.
Makes a good street tree in Seattle, tolerant of a wide-range of stress factors.

2)   Acer caesium ssp. giraldii

Maple featuring young branches covered with a whitish bloom (DO NOT TOUCH)
Native to the Himalaya region of China (Shaanxi and Yunnan provinces)
Specimen located along Arboretum Drive in the Peonies

3)   Betula albo-sinensis var. 

What do the pre-school kids do while attending the Fiddleheads Forest School at the Arboretum? UW student Mackenzie Urquhart reports on this exciting new education program.

Seize the Bay!
1)   Bay Laurel    (Laurus nobilis)

From the Mediterranean region
A plant of great cultural significance (culinary uses, literary references, etc.)
Marginally hardy in the Washington Park Arboretum, located in the Mediterranean Bed (grid 21-3E)

2)   California Bay Laurel    (Umbellularia californica)

Native to the Pacific Coast, Oregon through California
Crushed leaves have intense odor
Re-seeds freely in the Washington Park Arboretum
Located near the Mediterranean Bed (grid 20-3E)

3)   Redbay    (Persea borbonia)

A relative of the avocado, native to southeastern U.S. 

GREENS GALORE!
1)   Abies alba  ‘Hybrid’   (Silver Fir)

Silver Fir is the species first used as a Christmas tree.
A resinous essential oil can be extracted.  The pine-scented oil has soothing qualities and is used in perfumes and bath products.
This magnificent specimen can be found on Arboretum Drive.

2)   Cornus sericea  ‘Cardinal’    (Red Osier Dogwood)

Bright red twigs provide winter interest in the garden and a beautiful accent to holiday decorations. 

On a sunny autumn day a team of UW students, UWBG staff and team leader Jim Lutz headed down the East Arboretum trail to the Meadow with a shiny, new total station.