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UW Botanic Gardens Newsletter, Vol 10 Issue 8, August 2015
August E-Flora: Big Adventures and Big Flowers
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Visit Cuba in 2016 with Dr. Sarah Reichard
Experience the best of Cuba’s culture, gardens, and natural beauty during this unique journey with the UW Botanic Gardens. Among this tour’s highlights, you will have the chance to discover the historical capital of Havana and its many museums, churches, fortresses, and buildings under restoration, travel to Viñales Valley, one of the most beautiful parts of Cuba, and explore Zapata National Park, home to an impressive number of plant and bird species. Despite the revolution and economic hardships endured by the people of Cuba, its botanical gardens, organic farms, private gardens, and agriculture have thrived. Join the University of Washington Botanic Gardens for the trip of a lifetime!
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Who doesn’t love a 12-inch-wide flower that smells great? Visit the Washington Park Arboretum to view the Magnolia grandiflora, now in bloom! This tree, a native in the Southeastern US, is a valued ornamental in gardens around the world because of its large flowers and dark green, glossy evergreen leaves. It is used industrially for its beautiful hardwood to make furniture and cabinetry. The seeds are food for native southeast squirrels, possums, quail and turkeys. The leaves, fruit, bark and wood also are valued for their pharmaceutical properties. Learn more about this great plant!
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Help the UW Farm Build a Wood-Fired Cob Oven
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What is cob? Cob is a natural material made up of clay, sand, and straw. Student farmers will use their new oven for pizza parties, potlucks, and community celebrations.You can contribute to the building costs, learn how to use these techniques, and get hands-on experience by attending a workshop on August 28-30. Space is limited, so register now!
The workshop offers hands-on instruction in earthen cob building techniques delivered by Eli Adadaow, an experienced instructor in building with natural materials. Eli will lead discussions and hands-on work centering on key principles of natural building with local, abundant materials. Participants will learn some of the tricks used in building fast, yet sturdy structures using sustainable methods. Read more
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August Plant Profile – Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Sioux’
If this year’s hot and dry summer is a climate change omen for Seattle and the greater PNW, then here’s the tree of our future: Lagerstroemia spp. and its many hybrids and cultivars. Commonly known as crapemyrtles, these trees are tolerant of hot and dry summers and offer appeal throughout the seasons. They have lustrous foliage and large colorful flowers in the growing season (spring and summer); in the dormant season (fall and winter), the foliage and bark provide interest.
‘Sioux’ is a National Arboretum Fauriei hybrid crapemyrtle introduction from the 1950s that produces an abundance of large, bright pink flower clusters during summer. Its foliage is the darkest green of any crapemyrtle and turns to a handsome purple color in fall. The bark is tan in color and the twigs have a reddish color. Learn more about this cultivar and the other National Arboretum Fauriei hybrids.
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Glimpse into the past - Dreams of an Arboretum for the University of Washington
The University of Washington seems to have wanted an arboretum from very early in its history. Read Director Emeritus John Wott's musings on The Long Road Traveled by Henry Schmitz, from 1973, as he rediscovers the early history of the Washington Park Arboretum.
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Join us every Saturday in August for Yoga in the Arboretum. Pre-registration is requested.
Search our Gardening Answers Knowledgebase for plant and gardening questions with researched answers.
Explore the Washington Park Arboretum at night with Park in the Dark!
Check out Sunset magazine's best blooming spaces in the west, including the Washington Park Arboretum.
Looking for an opportunity to join our community as a volunteer? Read about available volunteer opportunities.
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