The UW Farm has launched a USEED crowdfunding campaign with the goal of raising $9,000 to build a new cob oven and structure, a new wash station, and reusable and portable hoop houses.

Donald Culross Peattie in the Washington Park Arboretum
Staff horticulturist, Ryan Garrison recently listened to an audio version of Donald Culross Peattie’s book, “A Natural History of North American Trees.” He very much enjoyed its mix of science and literary art, and would like to share a few gems about trees in the collection with you.
1)  Carya ovata – Shellbark or Scalybark Hickory
“To everyone with a feeling for things American, and for American history, the Shagbark seems like a symbol of the pioneer age, with its hard sinewy limbs and rude, shaggy coat, like the pioneer himself in fringed deerskin hunting shirt. 

By John A. Wott, Director Emeritus
A former staff member, Rebecca Johnson, shared with me a copy of the “First Annual Northwest Flower and Garden Show” program, held on Presidents’ Day Weekend, February 17-20, 1989.   On February 10, 2015, the 26th Show will open. I am proud to say that I have attended each one, including the Preview Party, a benefit for the Washington Park Arboretum. 

A common sight and scent in the winter garden, Sweet Box never fails to perform.

The Washington Park Arboretum rang in the new year with a series of windstorms that broke limbs, downed trees and dulled chain saws. What the storms didn’t do, however, was cause extensive damage to collections, structures, or visitors. “Lucky” might be your first thought, but luck had little to do with it. Proper tree care and a knowledgeable and observant tree care crew allow us to consider our recent tree ‘failures’ successful. 

Witt Winter Garden
1)  Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’         Bloodtwig Dogwood

Young stems of this cultivar are orange-yellow with the sunny side turning carmine red.
Stem color of species is gray to purple, while the color of C.s. ‘Midwinter Fire’ is yellow-green in summer changing to winter colors rapidly at leaf drop in fall.

2)  Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’             Witch Hazel

This hybrid of H. 

UW Botanic Gardens Director Sarah Reichard realizes she just might be a bird person after spending two weeks leading a tour in Costa Rica.

On Jan, 19, also known as the MLK Day of Service, a group of 7 volunteers helped remove ivy from cottonwood trees near the Union Bay Natural Area waterfront.
Just along the UBNA loop trail at the waterfront viewing area, many of the cottonwood trees have been suffocated by invasive English ivy. These trees may become a safety hazard for trail-users as ivy foliage weighs down branches. 

Farm Alumni Michelle Venetucci double majored in Community, Environment, and Planning (CEP) and Anthropology at the UW, graduating in 2011. During her time here she volunteered at a nascent UW Farm; read about her experience at the Farm during it’s early years and how it impacted her academically and professionally.
How you were involved in the farm?
I was involved with the farm from 2008 – 2011. 

After waiting 23 years to get a glimpse of a rare tropical bird UW Botanic Gardens Director Sarah Reichard finally met her quest.