UW Botanic Gardens Newsletter, Vol 8 Issue 6, June 2013

Come Join Park in the Dark at the Arboretum

It's time again for our Park in the Dark series at the Washington Park Arboretum. Night time is special at the WPA – the people and cars are gone, and the nocturnal animals move about. Night hikes are a chance for us to explore our senses, search for crepuscular and nocturnal movements in the forest and learn about night-related animal adaptations. The hikes are geared to children ages 6 to 12 and their families.

Here are the nights and times our tours are being offered this year:

June 8   8:00-9:30pm
August 10   8:00-9:30pm
August 31   7:30-9:00pm
September 14   7:00-8:30pm
September 28   6:30pm-8:00pm
October 12   6:00-7:30pm

The cost is $8 per person and you can pre-register online.

See Suze Woolf's Burnscapes at Miller Library

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 June 6 through August 29th. The piece at right is the remnants of a Pino Sagrado. For a further samples of her work, visit her website.

A Glimpse Into the Past

(A monthly column by Dr. John A. Wott, Director Emeritus) Driving past the Stone Cottage at the east entrance to Washington Park Arboretum on Arboretum Drive, everyone imagines it to be a magical place to live. It is probably much more magical in imagination than in actuality. It is not shown on the original Olmsted Plan. The design was conceived by Loveless and Fey in 1936. Constructed using funds from the Works Progress Administration and the University of Washington, it is shown here nearing completion around 1939. 

The reason for construction was not recorded. It is surmised that it was to be reminiscent of an English Gatekeeper’s Cottage at the entrance to a prominent estate or garden. It is built of massive walls, with little inside light. This often leads to dampness. It is basically one large room with a small front ante-room, a tiny kitchen and a bath. No vehicles have dented either the cottage or the large cedar tree at its front door step over its 77 years of existence.

Two of its earliest residents were Director Brian O. and Margaret Mulligan upon their arrival here. For many years the residents, either students or employees, have had gate-keeping duties as well as keeping an “eye” on the Arboretum. In the 1980s, then graduate student Daniel Hinkley described the 425 square feet of living space as “somewhat challenging”. Graduate student Scot Medbury hosted some fanciful garden parties in its back yard. As has been the case over the years, it is currently rented by a Grounds employee who enjoys the beauty of a 230-acre garden but also the public adventures of visitors (and cars) at all hours of the day and night.

Be sure to take a look at the full size photo.

June Plant Profile: Lilium 'Tiger Babies'

With striking elegance, vigor and remarkable hardiness, this lily has withstood the test of time. It is considered a classic among lily growers worldwide. ‘Tiger Babies’ is a complex hybrid that was bred from the often virus-infected ‘tiger lily’ (Lilium lancifolium). Breeding has made it virus free. Every year it is a welcome summer-flowering bulb.

The nodding flowers have a very slight scent to them, showing soft shades of cantaloupe orange blushed with pink and heavy brown spots as they open. They have strong stems and do not require staking. Compared to many other Asiatic lilies they are quick to multiply.

Common Name: Tiger Babies Asiatic Lily
Location: Soest Garden – Bed 6
Origin: Garden Origin
Height and Spread: 3-4′ high x 1ft. wide
Bloom Time: June

Sign up for a Class or Lecture

Sharing Nature with Your Children Saturday, June 8, 9 – 11am Graham Visitors Center, Washington Park Arboretum

Grow Your Own Organic Food Saturday, June 8, 1 – 3pm Center for Urban Horticulture, Douglas Classroom

Attack the Invasives! Saturday, June 8, 1 – 5pm Graham Visitors Center, WPA

Landscaping with Pacific NW Natives Tuesday, June 11, 1 – 3pm CUH, Douglas Classroom

Perennials: After the Shade Wednesday, June 19, 7 – 8:30pm CUH, Douglas Classroom

Walk with The Conscientious Gardener Saturday, June 29, 9 – 11am Graham Visitors Center, WPA

twigs 

The Hardy Fern Foundation has a sale coming up at the Center for Urban Horticulture on June 7 (noon to 6:30pm) and June 8 (9am to 2pm). This sale offers hundreds of species of ferns as well as a large assortment of other unique, shade loving plants! There is also a lecture on Friday night at 7pm featuriing Sue Milliken and Kelly Dodson of Far Reaches Farm. They will speak on “Ferns and the Other Plants of Western China”. The event is free.

Bring the little ones to the Miller Library on June 8 for the Summertime Story Program. Here comes summer, with plenty of time for hiking, daydreaming, gardening, and stargazing. After the stories, make a nature journal to take with you on your summer adventures. The fun starts at 10:30am. 

E-Flora is a regular online newsletter of the University of Washington Botanic Gardens

University of Washington Botanic Gardens' mission:
Sustaining managed to natural ecosystems and the human spirit through plant research, display, and education

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Phone: 206.543.8616
Email: uwbg@u.washington.edu
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