Along with the constant rain and drizzle, winter in the Pacific Northwest often brings the occasional wind and snow events.  Damage to trees (and caused by trees!) is inevitable following these storms.  While wind events tend to cause the most spectacular tree failures, snow loads have been known to fell their fair share of limbs.  Damage to Arboretum trees has been lower than expected during the course of the most recent snow; however, our evergreen oak collection in Rhododendron Glen took a severe hit. 

Selected cuttings from the Washington Park Arboretum (January 17 – 31, 2012)

1)  Camellia sasanqua    ’Shichi Fukujin’

An upright to spreading shrub or small tree with elliptical, dark green leaves and bearing single cup-shaped flowers, C. sasanqua is one of many camellia species native to Japan.
Known to flower early in the season when colors are greatly appreciated, it is considered a less spectacular shrub than the spring-flowering C. 

In the managed landscape, there are several species and cultivated varieties of Salix that are highly attractive.

Answer: Yes! Weddings and all social events are a natural fit at the beautiful Center for Urban Horticulture (CUH) and Washington Park Arboretum (WPA). Weddings and many other social events are booked months, even a year, in advance at both of these sites.

1)  Hamamalis mollis    (Chinese Witch-hazel)

Hamamelis mollis is a species of witch-hazel native to central and eastern China.
It is the most fragrant of all witch-hazels and worth growing for that characteristic alone. It is disease resistant and easy to grow.
Located in the Witt Winter Garden.

2)  Hamamalis x intermedia ‘Hiltingbury’

Hamamelis x intermedia hybrids are crosses between Japanese witch hazel (H. 

Seattle-based composer, sound artist and UW doctoral student in music Abby Aresty has designed an amazing sound installation for the Washington Park Arboretum planned for autumn 2012. But she needs to raise more money for equipment to build the installation. Please help!

It has been an incredibly busy autumn here at CUH as we have several new projects underway. Our entire horticultural team has been involved with 2 major projects we’d like to highlight as these are pretty significant changes that might raise a few eyebrows.

Earlier this autumn, our arborist crew took down a large specimen of Parrotia persica that’s been growing in a raised planter in the Orin and Althea Soest Herbaceous Perennial Garden. 

1)  Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’
(Midwinter Fire Dogwood)

Perhaps the first dogwood to show its bright winter stems, Midwinter Fire will continue to be the show-stopper of the twig bed until dressed in leaves again.
You will have no trouble finding this shrub in the Witt Winter Garden.

2)  Euonymus myrianthus   (Spindle Tree)

This bushy, evergreen shrub has bright orange-yellow fruit which split open to reveal the showy red arils of the seeds. 

UWBG has the one of the largest Holly collections in North America and Iles x koehneana goes unnoticed until one gets up close to admire its bold presence as a broadleaf evergreen shrub.

Holiday shopping got you stressed? Look no farther than UWBG! Gift certificates are now available for classes such as landscape design and mosaic art techniques. Need more gift ideas?