We headed out of Havana early on a Sunday morning. This was really our first look at the countryside, and at the transportation system. The stories about huge numbers of old American cars from the 1950s? All true! Under Cuban law, cars registered after the 1959 revolution could not be bought or sold, though that is changing. The result is that those who had a car hung onto it and tried to keep it running, passing it down as an inheritance. 

The winners of the botanical art exhibit held in conjunction with the conference Conserving Plant Biodiversity in a Changing World: A View from NW North America were announced Wednesaday afternoon at the close of the conference.

1)  Coriaria napalensis

This is one of three species of Coriaria in the Arboretum.
It is growing near Azalea Way, north of the Pine Collection (grid 23-1W).
Our other two species are C. japonica in Rhododendron Glen and C. sarmentosa (a New Zealand native) on Arboretum Drive in grid 11-7E.

2)  Lindera obtusiloba

Native to China, Japan, and Korea
L. obtusiloba is most noted for its early spring flowers, but also has rare fall color (pure yellow) on its openly-spreading form. 

Sarah Reichard, professor and Director of UW Botanic Gardens, recounts her recent experience leading a tour group to Cuba. This post describes shabby but elegant old Havana and a meeting with agroeconomist Miquel Salcines.

Thymelaeaceae it a family known for woody shrubs producing very fragrant winter blossoms. They also have smooth bark and fibers that make them valuable in quality paper making. two fine examples growing at CUH are Daphne odora and Edgeworthia chrysantha

The earliest Rhododendrons are featured cuttings on display in the Graham Visitors Center at the Arboretum.

1) Eucalyptus pauciflora ssp. niphophila    (Alpine Snow Gum)

Known for distinct blue-green foliage
Slower growing than other Eucalyptus species
Located north of the Pacific Connections Garden, east of the Lookout parking lot

2) Lithocarpus densiflorus    (Tanbark Oak)

Native to California and southern Oregon, easily grown in Seattle
Highly susceptible to Sudden Oak Death
Found north of Rhododendron Glen

3) Maytenus boaria    (Mayten Tree)

Known for fine textured foliage
Native to Chile
Located near Rhododendron Glen and the Camellias

4) Quercus suber    (Cork Oak)

Corky bark harvested for wine corks and dartboards
Native to Spain and Portugal
Found near along Arboretum Drive near the Giant Sequoias

5) Sycopsis sinensis    (Chinese Fighazel)

A relative of the witch hazel
Extremely rare in Seattle
Located near Pacific Connections Australia Entry Garden 

Holbrook has planned a wonderful trip for us. We will be visiting botanic gardens, meeting their staff and scientists and consulting with some of the urban farmers in Havana to learn how they make the most of every square inch they farm.

The Washington Park Arboretum is full of quiet nooks, unusual plants, and hidden groves where our imagination can run free and our curiosity is hooked. Bring your family and come find this special spot!

One of the many engaging courses offered to the undergraduate and graduate students at the Center for Urban Horticulture is the Restoration Capstone Sequence. In this course, students of different academic backgrounds work together to complete a local ecological restoration project. Students plan, design, install, and monitor a restoration project while working in teams over the course of eight months, beginning in fall of each year.