By John A. Wott, Director Emeritus Since its founding 35 years ago, the Center for Urban Horticulture (now a part of the University of Washington Botanic Gardens) has produced numerous students, staff, and faculty who have continued on to illustrious horticultural careers. A few days ago, I received this photograph of Dr. Harold B. Tukey, Jr., founding director, and associate professor James R.
Read more »Glimpse into the past - Dreams of an Arboretum at the University of Washington
Read the story behind the development of a University of Washington arboretum in Washington Park.
Read more »Glimpse into the past - the Legend of the Flamingos and the Silver Egg
Urban horticulture has come a long way from the days of the pink flamingos, but they still hold a special place in our hearts!
Read more »Glimpse into the past - Mrs. Sawyer's Bench
Today’s visitors to the Washington Park Arboretum walk past historical artifacts not knowing why they might be there. One of those is the Memorial Fountain dedicated to the late Mrs. W.W. Sawyer, along Arboretum Drive E. opposite Rhododendron Glen.
Read more »Glimpse into the Past - Thirty Years of Horticultural Outreach
When the Center for Urban Horticulture was established in 1980, one of the programmatic thrusts was to develop and carry out a comprehensive public outreach program.
Read more »Glimpse into the Past - Celebrating the Founder of the Center for Urban Horticulture
By John Wott, Director Emeritus In those divisive times of the late 1960’s and 1970’s, many new ideas began to form regarding how to live on, properly use, and safeguard the resources on our earth. This included groups from the “flower children” to academics. Learned horticulturists, botanists, and academics in the Northwest created a plan which called for the creation of a new academic unit at the University of Washington to be called the Center for Urban Horticulture.
Read more »Glimpse into the Past - Remembering the First Northwest Flower & Garden Show
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.
Read more »A glimpse into the past - a remarkable issue of the Arboretum Bulletin
By John A. Wott, Director Emeritus. Recently I was given a copy of the Arboretum Bulletin, Volume VIII , no. 4, Winter 1945, by Lyn Sauter, who was the first librarian for the collection of books that became the Miller Library.
Read more »A glimpse into the past - Leissler's 1934 design for the Arboretum
An historic document connected to the early “life” of the Washington Park Arboretum has been found. It is the (believed) first design for the Arboretum, prepared in 1934 by Frederick Leissler, landscape architect in the Seattle Department of Parks.
Read more »A glimpse into the past - a very low tide on Foster Island
For many years, Lake Washington and correspondingly, Union Bay, had quite variable levels throughout the year.
Read more »