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Early Bloomers showcases our nursery and greenhouse in the Arboretum.
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Don't Miss Early Bloomers
Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Graham Visitors Center
Our first plant sale of the spring season is just a week away! Hosted by the dedicated volunteers in our Plant Donations Nursery and Pat Calvert Greenhouse, Early Bloomers offers a great selection of young trees and shrubs, and an excellent supply of early-flowering perennials. This year we will also have a lovely batch of hardy fuchsias, generously donated by the UW Botanic Gardens, and a unique array of New Zealand native plants, including phormiums, hebes, corokias, and coprosmas, from our awarding-winning 2013 Garden Show display.
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The region's biggest and best plant sale is on April 27 and 28.
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FlorAbundance Returns to the Arboretum
More Edibles, Plentiful Parking, Same Beautiful Setting!
Building 30 at Magnuson Park is still under renovation, so for the second year in a row, we will be hosting the FlorAbundance Spring Plant Sale at the Graham Visitors Center. Please join us on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the region's largest and best plant sale. Your purchases help us to care for Seattle's fabulous Arboretum. As always, dozens of specialty nurseries will be on-hand selling a wonderful selection of locally grown trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and edibles.
Enhanced edibles & easy parking: Along with our usual selection of high-quality ornamentals, we'll be selling more veggies, berries, herbs, and edibles flowers this year! As it was last year, parking will be plentiful along Arboretum Drive. And once again we'll be running a shuttle service along the drive to take shoppers from and to their cars.
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The Skillet food truck will be there!
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Member Pre-Sale & Party
Enjoy First Pick of the Plants at FlorAbundance
Tickets are now on sale for our FlorAbundance Member Pre-Sale & Party at the Arboretum on Friday, April 26 (5 to 7:30 p.m.). Foundation members can purchase tickets for themselves and guests online or by calling 206-325-4510. Get first pick of the plants at the sale, while enjoying tasty appetizers catered by the celebrated Skillet Street Food and delicious regional wines.
Early-bird rate: Tickets are currently $35 each. After April 15, the cost will go up to $40. Space is limited, so buy your ticket today!
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Randall Hitchin, a valued member of the Arboretum family!
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Staff Update
Randall Hitchin Assumes New Development Position
Our Volunteer and Outreach Manager Randall Hitchin recently switched departments to become our new Outreach and Major Gifts Manager. Randall will continue to oversee our community and member outreach programs, and will also be in charge of cultivating major donors to help sustain the Arboretum.
Job opportunity: We are currently seeking a new Volunteer Resources Manager to fill Randall capable shoes. See a full job description on our website. We will start reviewing resumes for that position, starting April 8. |
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Cover photo by Riz Reyes.
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Shear Madness
A Campaign to End the Inappropriate Pruning of Shrubs
In the latest issue of the Washington Park Arboretum Bulletin, Cass Turnball writes about Plant Amnesty's new campaign to prevent the senseless torture and mutilation of shrubs in the gardens and landscapes across Seattle. With wonderful wit and good humor, Cass makes the case for careful, selective pruning and urges gardeners to resist the urge to shear -- a practice that gradually ruins and kills shrubs. Read the full article.
Thanks to our sponsors: The spring 2013 issue was made possible by the following:
The Bulletin Archive: We are now be archiving selected articles from each issue of the Bulletin on our website. Our first article is an extended online version of Janine Anderson's wonderful " Garden Tour of Cuba."
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The New Zealand Entry Garden, a preview of what's to come.
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New Zealand Forest
Planting Starts in Early June!
Construction of the two-acre New Zealand Forest at Pacific Connections got underway this past winter and is scheduled to be completed by the end of August. Currently, the contractor is finishing up the infrastructure portion of the project, including the construction of a bus turnaround on Arboretum Drive and the installation of the irrigation systems for the forest. Soil grading and preparation will then take place. Planting starts in early June. More than 10,000 plants representing over 90 different taxa from 9 plant communities will be planted in the garden. The opening ceremonies, which will include a guest appearance by a Maori carving artist, are set for September 13 and 15. Stay tuned!
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Stewards working in Pacific Connections.
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Stewards Update
Volunteers Needed to Help Plant and Care for New Forest
Much of the planting of the New Zealand Forest this summer will be done by contract workers under the supervision of Seattle Parks and Recreation and UW Botanic Gardens. However, a portion of the new forest will be set aside for planting by the volunteers in the Pacific Connections Garden Stewards program. Once the forest is planted, the stewards will assist Arboretum staff in caring for the two-acre display. Are you interested in helping out? We're currently recruiting to enlarge our pool of stewards to help plant and maintain the New Zealand Forest. You must be willing to commit to a minimum of 24 hours of work per year, during the months of March through November. And some previous horticultural experience is also required. For information or to sign up, please email Rhonda Bush or call her at 206-941-2550. |
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Dahne bholua, by Janet Parker.
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Miller Library Exhibit
Showcasing the Work of Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists
Do you marvel at the magnificent bloom on a rhododendron, the fanciful petals of a fuchsia flower, or the stark beauty of rose hips in winter? If so, stop by the Miller Library this month to enjoy an exhibit by the Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting public awareness of contemporary botanical art. The exhibit runs April 5 through May 4th. Artwork, prints, and cards will be for sale throughout the month, and a portion of the sales will benefit the Library. For more information, call 206-543-0415 or visit www.millerlibrary.org.
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Trees look pretty nice!
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Urban Forest Symposium
The "Saving Trees Versus Preserving Views" Debate
The issue of trees versus views is a contentious one, pitting view seekers against tree lovers on hillsides facing mountains and water, up and down both coasts. Hosted by UW Botanic Gardens, Plant Amnesty, and the City of Seattle, the 5th Annual Urban Forest Symposium on Monday, May 13 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) will provide an in-depth look at the issue. Topics will include "the aesthetics of views," "municipal view policies," "trees, views, and slope stability," and "view pruning." Speakers will examine numerous case studies from the trenches. The cost is $75 per person. Register online. For more information, email urbhort@uw.edu call 206-685-8033. |
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BANNER PHOTO: Plant expert Janine Anderson helps shoppers at FlorAbundance 2012 with their plant selections.
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Quick Links
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Our Partners at Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle:
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Free Sunday Tours to Showcase
Buds and Blooms
UWBG-trained garden guides lead free tours of the Arboretum from 1 to 2:30 p.m. every Sunday. The theme this month is "Buds and Blooms," and the tours will explore the first signs of spring, from beautiful leaf and flower buds to early bloomers. Meet at the Graham Visitors Center.
Japanese Garden
Spring Events
Puget Sound Bonsai Show: Sunday, May 19
Children's Day:
Monday, May 27
Register for
Summer Camp!
Registration is now open for UWBG's kids' Summer Camp at the Arboretum. The environmental day camp for 6 to 12 year olds runs for seven weeks this year (weekdays, July 1 to August 16). Weekly themes include "Northwest Naturalists" and "Woodland Wonders." The cost is $250 per child per week. Foundation members receive a 10% discount. Register online. Hurry! The sessions are filling up fast!
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