Things certainly ramped up since my last post on here hence the absence of updates, but it’s been a busy past few months here at the Center for Urban Horticulture Grounds. There are several exciting new projects underway and our regular summer regiment is in full swing with regular volunteers that have helped what is now a two person crew to oversee all of CUH Grounds since our third colleague left. 

Eucomis bicolor is one of the more common and easily sought after species as it truly showcases why this genus is known as “pineapple lily”

Marilyn Smith Layton has created a book of images called Seasons of Lifein the Union Bay Natural Area, and she is donating the profits from the sale of the book to projects in UBNA. The cost of the book is $60, and $20 of that will go to help the natural area.
You may purchase a copy in the Miller Library (cash or check only). 

The benefits Alexandra pointed out that had resulted from these combined projects were, increased scientific knowledge, community engagement and biological preservation. Brilliant! I want to steal that and make it our new tagline.

Hydrangea involucrata ‘Tama Azisai’
Lonicera xylosteum (Fly honeysuckle)
Magnolia virginiana var. australis
Rhododendron degronianum ssp. yakushimanum
Sorbus scopulina var. cascadensis

Complete details. 

We had made our presence felt in Vladivostok, now it was time to take our act on the road.

Get bogged down in Cascadia and see firsthand how the horticulturalists at the Washington Park Arboretum recreate a native bog.

We’d seen this event on our itinerary prior to the trip and not thought much about it, but now it was being billed as a much bigger deal that several higher-ups would be attending, the U.S. Consulate for Vladivostok among them.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We woke early, after what felt like the best night’s sleep I’d had in years.  Evenings in Vlad are on the cool side, perfect for sleeping.  After a rather strange breakfast of buttery succotash pasta, a fried chicken leg, and fried egg, we headed over to the botanical garden to have a look around and tag along on a series of tours lined up in honor of “Environmental Education Week”. 

Greetings from Vladivostok, Russia!