Glimpse into the past – the Daniel J. Evans Centennial Tree
y John A. Wott, Director Emeritus On Thursday, October 29, 2015, the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington will honor Daniel J. Evans, on his 90th birthday, for his public leadership, scholarship, and service. What an opportune time to mention the Daniel J. Evans Centennial Tree at the Washington Park Arboretum…a coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) which he planted in the south Pinetum as part of the Washington State Arbor Day program. ...
Glimpse into the past – Dr. James R. Clark
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. ...
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...
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 heart...
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. ...
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...
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. ...
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. ...
Getting a Glimpse of the Elusive Resplendent Quetzal
After waiting 23 years to get a glimpse of a rare tropical bird UW Botanic Gardens Director Sarah Reichard finally met her quest...
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...