University of Washington Botanic Gardens Home

It’s nesting season right now, and we know where they’re nesting. Despite all this, however, the owl team got skunked. Not even a “who cooks for you”. The bat team, on the other hand, led by members from Bats Northwest, fared much better. Read more

The Northwest's own Pacific Coast Irises are coming into bloom! Read more

As we bid adieu to soaking April showers, let's also wish a fond farewell to over 300 hardy volunteers that helped keep our botanic gardens beautiful. Read more

Learn about the best perennial plants for our region in this exciting series of classes taught by Carrie Becker, co-author of Perennials: The Gardener's Reference. Read more

Hold your event at the Graham Visitor Center between January and June 2013 and receive a 10% discount. Read more

Bioblitz 2013 – What’s hatching in the Arboretum?

May 2013 Plant Profile: Pacific Coast Irises

Trees Cheer for Community Volunteers!

Perennial Possibilities

Graham Visitor Center Room Rental now 10% off

More News from our Staff

Urban Vegetable Gardening Resources

Have you planted your summer vegetable garden yet? It’s not too late! We have many resources here at the Miller Library to help you plan your edible garden, whether you have a tiny balcony or an expansive back yard plot. Food Grown Right, In Your Backyard is a handy beginner’s guide from the co-founders of the Seattle Urban Farm Co.[…] Read more->.

Posted on 16 May 2013 | 10:15 am

May Color Appears at the Washington Park Arboretum

1) Acer circinatum (Vine maple) Taken for granted around here, this time of year our vine maple is most eye-catching in flower. Located throughout our native matrix as a deciduous forest understory tree. Vine maple is native to the North American west coast from British Columbia to California. 2) Acer cissifolium (Vine-leaf maple) Despite their […] Read more->.

Posted on 5 May 2013 | 12:20 pm

Burnscapes – Paintings by Suze Woolf on Exhibit

Artist Suze Woolf meditates on climate change and forest fires with her series of paintings known as Burnscapes. Recent work from this series will be on exhibit in the Miller Library July 2 through August 30th. → Read more->.

Posted on 4 May 2013 | 4:38 pm

Urban Forest Symposium Line-up

The 5th Annual Urban Forest Symposium is just eleven days away. Take a look at the final schedule below. Please note the new end time of 4:30pm. A limited number of seats are still available. Read more->.

Posted on 2 May 2013 | 1:14 pm

Friends write history of Yesler Swamp at CUH

Many of us know of Henry Yesler, one of Seattle's forefathers, but what is Yesler Swamp on the east side of the Center for Urban Horticulture? Read more->.

Posted on 30 April 2013 | 10:28 am

Introducing our Summer Garden Guides

[…] These enthusiastic, thoughtful and genuine folks are our Garden Guides for the UW Botanic Gardens Summer Camp at the Arboretum. They are charged with creating fun, educational, nature-based experiences for our campers. They have our 230 acre nature oasis to work with, their own experience and excitement to bring to the table, and a host Read more->.

Posted on 23 April 2013 | 11:18 am

Spring Scavenger Hunt

If you and the kids are looking for a fun way to enjoy the sights and smells of the season, stop by the Graham Visitors Center and pick up a Spring Scavenger Hunt clue sheet Read more->.

Posted on 22 April 2013 | 4:35 pm

More Maples in Bloom

Our native Big Leaf Maples, Acer macrophyllum, are currently covered with dangling flowers. Right now is one of my favorite times to view these giant native trees because the effect of all these flowers in the trees is stunning. The flower clusters are about 4 inches long and 1 inch thick and because the tree […] Read more->.

Posted on 19 April 2013 | 1:38 pm

April Color Appears at the Washington Park Arboretum (Part II)

“Now it will Spring forth!” 1) Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf maple) Taken for granted around here, this time of year our Bigleaf maple is most eye-catching in flower. It’s the subtle texture of its expanding leaf that drew my attention. Located throughout our native matrix as the dominant deciduous forest tree. 2) Aesculus wangii A horse […] Read more->.