UW Botanic Gardens Newsletter, Vol 6 Issue 9, September 2011
Fall is the best time for planting
And you'll be ready to plant after this Sunday! The Arboretum Foundation has organized a new fall plant sale full of hydrangeas, rhodies, azaleas, species roses, dwarf conifers, drought-resistant shrubs, crocosmia, cyclamen, hellebores, hostas and other perennials. Nab 25% discounts on greenhouse inventory and select nursery plants at FallAbundance Sept. 25 in Washington Park Arboretum, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Tour Cuba’s gardens with Reichard
The UW Botanic Gardens has just been issued a license by the US Department of Treasury so that Executive Director Sarah Reichard may lead a tour group through Cuba Feb. 22 to Mar. 4, 2012! This is a spectacular opportunity to learn about Cuba’s ecosystems, endemic and endangered species, organic farms and reforestation projects. You’ll visit the National Botanical Garden, the University of Pinar del Rio’s Orchid Garden, the Ecologically Protected Area of Mil Cumbres with hundreds of Cuba and local endemics, and Zapata Park with its 1,000 plant species, 65% of Cuba’s bird species, and the Cuba crocodile. Everywhere you go, you’ll enjoy special opportunities to learn firsthand from local experts. Arrangements are being handled by Holbrook Travel, who so ably handled the details of Dr. Reichard’s and Dan Hinkley’s Chile Garden Tour early this year. A flyer detailing the itinerary is being created. In the meantime, keep an eye on our website for more information.
Arboretum guide training incorporates latest student research
Each fall, the Washington Park Arboretum Education and Outreach Program provides training for new and veteran guides for school field trips and Weekend Walks. This fall, guides learned firsthand about current plant-related research at the University of Washington. Hyde Herbarium Collections Manager and School of Forest Resources (SFR) graduate student Katie Murphy spoke about fall plant physiology and offered pointers for leading groups in the field. SFR graduate student Shawn Behling, whose research focuses on plant morphology, gave an inspiring walk and talk on forest ecology. And Joyce LeCompte-Mastenbrook, doctoral candidate from the Department of Anthropology, facilitated a lively discussion on Coast Salish culture to prepare guides for the Native Plants & People school program. Training wraps up this week with a kayak tour, courtesy of Agua Verde Paddle Club, to prepare guides to deliver Wetlands 101 and 201 to K-6th graders. Are you interested in becoming a volunteer guide? It’s not too late! Email lsanphil@uw.edu for more information.
Soil, water and sustainable sites
Two Tuesday evening seminars will prepare landscape, construction and design professionals to meet the Sustainable Sites Initiative’s benchmarks and objectives. Sept. 27, a resource conservation planner, design consultant and senior construction manager will walk you through best practices in soil protection and restoration, soil regeneration, the soil management plan, specification-writing and construction strategies. Oct. 4, construction and design company professionals will offer an outpouring of worthwhile information on watering without waste, including irrigation techniques and efficiency, weaning off supplemental water and the influence of maintenance on design. Register online or call 206-685-8033, $30 for one, $50 for both, Center for Urban Horticulture.
Light reveals form
Measure. Observe light. Mix colors. Learn the basics of classical botanical watercolor from Kathleen McKeehen, whose botanical art and illustration have appeared in numerous publications, botanical plates and shows. Five Wednesday evening classes begin Sept. 28. Register online or call 206-685-8033, $190, Center for Urban Horticulture.
Students shape Arboretum in numerous ways
What’s growing in Washington Park Arboretum these days? Well, for one, students! Opportunities abound for students to grow and learn by designing, proposing and/or executing projects. Angela Williams, one of five UW student interns last spring, planted and tended a vegetable garden used as an educational component of summer camps and field trips at the Arboretum. This fall, five Garden and Greenhouse Caretaker student intern positions are again open through the UW's Carlson Leadership & Public Service Center. Another undergraduate student, Jeanine Carlson, has written a draft proposal for the Campus Sustainability Fund. Her proposal for a Permaculture Perennial Guild Garden in the Arboretum is her Capstone project in the Program on the Environment.
Plant Profile: Vitex agnus-castus
[by Riz Reyes, Soest gardener] I’ve decided to go with a woody species this month, so I selected the fabulous chaste tree. Our specimen here at the Center for Urban Horticulture peaked this month, attracting bees, butterflies and other wildlife while also attracting the attention of visitors who inquire, “Why do you grow butterfly bush? Don’t you know it’s a noxious weed?”
Vitex agnus-castus makes a wonderful substitute for the aggressively self-seeding Buddleja davidii. It has a far more elegant appearance with its scented, silvery green, palmately compound leaflets and conical, upright flowering stems that bear lavender flowers that really look like butterfly bush.
As a Mediterranean native, it prefers a warm environment in full sun and fairly well-drained soil. It is readily available in most garden centers, and while the most common form is the lilac color, Vitex also comes in white and pink. Though it is hardy and thrives in the Pacific Northwest, it is very slow to leaf out and looks like a dead tree in early summer. Vitex comes into its own in late summer to fall, which makes it ideal for later season interest.
Read the complete plant profile.
Northwest artists honor trees with their art
Four Northwest artists who share a deep affinity for trees will exhibit realistic and abstract renderings honoring trees Oct. 5 to Nov. 23 in the Elisabeth C. Miller Library. Jacqui Beck, Donna Leavitt, Cheryl A. Richey and Elizabeth Reed Smith work in a variety of media and represent diverse styles. The group exhibition aims to stimulate contemplation of the artistic merits of trees as well as the power of tree symbolism to advance our understanding of the interconnectedness of people and the environment. You’re invited to a free public reception with the artists Thursday, Oct. 20, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.
Bioblitz rescheduled for Oct 21-22
There's always something new to discover. Or if not, there's always counting and cataloging to be done! No experience necessary. You'll learn as you play a significant citizen science role in the company of experts. During Bioblitz 2011, small field groups will survey various habitats for different taxa groups during six 2.5-hour shifts over a 24 hour period in the Washington Park Arboretum. Plus, there's a cookout and lecture Friday from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. It's free, but please RSVP.
twigs. . .
Momijigari (fall color viewing) is October’s theme for the 11:00 AM weekend walks the first and third Sundays of the month. As always, 1:00 PM walks are based on the whims and interests of our knowledgeable Garden Guides. Meet at Graham Visitors Center. No cost, no advance sign-up.
Leaves! Leaves! Leaves! It won’t be long before we’re all thinking that. But it’s also the title of one of the children’s stories that you and your child will hear during the Miller Library’s free story program Saturday, Oct. 22, at 10:30 AM.
Last month we announced our new profile pic on Facebook. We’ve now incorporated that same wonderful tree image by Dean Forbes into our new default landing page for visitors who haven’t “liked” us yet. Called “Welcome” in the page menu (in Facebook's lefthand column), it links to information about the UW Botanic Gardens’ varied resources and locations. Take a peek and see if you know everything you can do and find here!
Save the date: Celebrate the Oral History Project at an open house Tuesday, Nov. 1, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM in the Elisabeth C. Miller Library. A collection of interviews with Art Kruckeberg and others who have had long associations with the Washington Park Arboretum and Center for Urban Horticulture will be showcased. Watch for more information in next month’s E-Flora.
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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