As we look forward to the warmth of the summer, let’s take a moment to appreciate one of the first berries that ripens in our region – salmonberry. The scientific name is Rubus spectabilis and is appropriately named for its showy flowers and berries. The genus Rubus is derived from ruber, the Latin word for red, while spectabilis is Latin for spectacular, notable, or showy. 

The Miller Library staff celebrates Pride Month with a collection of our best resources by and about LGBTQ gardeners and plantspeople. Throughout the month of June, watch for Facebook posts highlighting our favorite titles. Borrowers can also place holds on specific items from the catalog list, and view the covers using our online shelf browse tool.

Choosing these titles was challenging. 

The peninsula north of the Linden Parking Lot (#16) is sometimes referred to as the Lagoon.  Enjoy these trees while walking, birding, viewing wildlife, or boating.
1)     Nothofagus antarctica                                                 Antarctic Beech

This tree is native to southern Chile and Argentina.
A deciduous tree with shaggy bark and small glossy leaves can be found north of the canoe launch.
It was once believed to be the southernmost growing tree on Earth until 2019, when a Nothofagus betuloides was found on the same island just slightly further south on Hornos Island, Chile. 

Only 90 minutes south of Seattle is an exquisite but threatened habitat: the South Sound Prairies. Prior to the arrival of Euro-American settlers, the Northwest prairie ecosystem west of the Cascades thrived under management by Native Americans, from Oregon’s Willamette Valley north to the San Juan Islands and into southwestern British Columbia. Today, less than 3% of that original habitat survives, and plants dependent on the prairies’ unique soil and topography require vigorous protection.

Here’s a small peek at a few of the many plants here at the Washington Park Arboretum that are showing off their unique spring features.
1)                 Cercis canadensis                                                   Eastern Redbud

One can’t help but admire this small, often multi-stemmed flowering tree as its glowing, purple-pink buds break out in spring through early summer.
With stunning cultivars such as ‘Appalachian Red’ and ‘Forest Pansy’ being highlighted in botanic gardens and arboreta, popularity has soared over the past several decades. 

On Tuesday, March 23rd, Arborist Shea Cope found himself swaying 30 feet high on the Osprey nest pole near the Loop Trail at Union Bay Natural Area. He had climbed to the top of the pole using first a ladder and then tree-climbing spurs. Now he called down to his arborist colleague, Clif Edwards, “Send up the gourds.”

Attaching two specially-prepared gourds to a system of wires and pulleys, Clif sent them flying up. 

If you have ever plucked a ripe fig straight from the tree, the sap oozing from the jam-like interior and suspended at the bottom of the fruit, you know that you have to grow your own figs to fully appreciate their wonder.

The next time you treat yourself to a walk through the inviting grounds of UW Botanic Gardens, take a moment to appreciate that the flowers and trees play an important role in scientific research–with implications for plants and research institutions all over the world.
“We get requests for plant materials from researchers and institutions about 10 times a year,” reports Raymond J. 

Though we appreciate native plants every day, Washington State designates April as Native Plant Appreciation Month. This year’s theme, “Native Pollinators Need Native Plants,” is a mantra to live and garden by. Pollination is just one of many ecosystem services provided by native insects, and while there are many resources published about gardening for pollinators and building pollinator pathways, we should also take a moment to look holistically at supporting all beneficial insects in our garden, for pollination and beyond. 

If you missed our peak magnolia bloom, you can extend their beauty virtually here enjoying several wonderful photos of a few of my personal favorites.  Many thanks to both Niall Dunne – Arboretum Foundation Communications Manager and Bulletin editor, Ray Larson – UW Botanic Gardens Interim Director and Skylar Lin – PSGO aerial photographer for sharing their extraordinary photos capturing these magnificent magnolias in bloom!