University of Washington Botanic Gardens

1)  Hamamalis mollis    (Chinese Witch-hazel)

• Hamamelis mollis is a species of witch-hazel native to central and eastern China.
• It is the most fragrant of all witch-hazels and worth growing for that characteristic alone. It is disease resistant and easy to grow.
• Located in the Witt Winter Garden.

2)  Hamamalis x intermedia ‘Hiltingbury’

• Hamamelis x intermedia hybrids are crosses between Japanese witch hazel (H. japonica) and
  Chinese witch-hazel (H. mollis).
• The brilliant orange, coppery, scarlet and red fall colors of this large spreading shrub are
  striking; its early spring flowers are pale copper, suffused with red.
• Located in the Witt Winter Garden.

3)  Rhododendron bureavii

• R. bureavii occurs in the wild in two fairly limited areas in northern Yunnan,
  China, in open pine forest and rhododendron thickets. Discovered by Père Delavay in
  1896.
• Its handsome glossy dark green leaves are thickly felted with rusty-brown, very noticeable
  on the young growth.
• Located at the top of Rhododendron Glen, near the hydrangeas.

4)  Rhododendron degronianum

• Growth habit is very tight and compact with deep glossy green leaves that are covered on the
  undersides with soft, fawn-colored indumentum.
• Located by the upper pond in the Rhododendron Glen.

5) Rhododendron galactinum

• Native to Sichuan, China; discovered and introduced by E.H. Wilson in 1908.
• Has large leathery leaves, up to 20 cm. long, with a buff-gray or cinnamon-brown indumentum
  underneath.
• Located on the upper trail near the top of Loderi Valley.

Selected cuttings from the Washington Park Arboretum (December 12 - 26, 2011)

1)  Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’
(Midwinter Fire Dogwood)

• Perhaps the first dogwood to show its bright winter stems, Midwinter Fire will continue to be the show-stopper of the twig bed until dressed in leaves again.
• You will have no trouble finding this shrub in the Witt Winter Garden.

2)  Euonymus myrianthus   (Spindle Tree)

• This bushy, evergreen shrub has bright orange-yellow fruit which split open to reveal the showy red arils of the seeds.
• This spindle tree is native to China and is growing among our Asiatic Maples.

3)  Salix irrorata   (Bluestem, Sandbar Willow)

• This upright shrub from the southwest U.S. has purple to lavender shoots, which have a white bloom in the winter.
• This willow is coppiced each year to maximize its showy shoots.

4)  Thujopsis dolobrata   (Hiba Cedar)

• This beautiful cedar is native to Japan.
• The foliage is similar to our native Thuja, but larger and more lustrous with distinctive white
  markings on the undersides.
• We have a young specimen in the Woodland Garden and a T.d. var. hondai at the very south end of Azalea Way.

5)  Vaccinium uliginosum ssp. occidentale   (Western Bog Blueberry)

• The western bog blueberry grows in wet conditions in alpine or cold weather regions including tundra, where it is a major food source for wildlife such as grouse, caribou and bears.
• The leaves of bog blueberry can accumulate heavy metals without harm to the plant, making it valuable in mine prospecting and reclamation.
• A fine specimen is located at the south end of our Asiatic Maple collection.

Selected Cuttings from the Washington Park Arboretum (November 28 - December 12, 2011)

1) Cedrus libani ssp. atlantica ‘Glauca’ (Blue Atlas Cedar)

• This native of the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco is now placed in the same species as the “Cedar of Lebanon”.
• Two beautiful specimens are located 38 and 39-6W at the Lynn Street entrance to the Arboretum.

2)  Juniperus virginiana  ‘Blue Coast’     (Red Cedar)

• Though the species reaches over 100 feet, ‘Blue Coast’ is a shrubby cultivar.
• Ours are located north of the crab apple trees in 34-6E.
• Red Cedar (or Eastern Red Cedar if you are from the West) lent its name to the Cedar Waxwing and to Baton Rouge according to Arthur Lee Jacobson.

3)  Chamaecyparis thyoides     (Atlantic White Cedar)

• Inhabits swamps on the U.S. East Coast.
• Rarely seen in cultivation.
• Our best specimens are in 28-3W, west of Azalea Way.

4)  Torreya taxifolia     (Stinking Cedar)

• Torreya taxifolia is rare even in its very small natural range in southern Georgia and northern Florida where a fungal blight has nearly driven it to extinction.
• The Arboretum has two specimens:  one at the east end of Loderi Valley (29-3E), the other in the cold frames south of the greenhouse.

5)  ????????????? nootkatensis     (Alaska Yellow Cedar)

• Variously known as Cupressus (1824), Chamaecyparis (1841), Xanthocyparis (2002) and Callitropsis (2004).
• Attaining great size and age, Yellow Cedar was one of the most important plants for the Northwest Coast First Peoples. It is still immensely popular as a landscape plant, especially in its weeping forms.
• Many specimens are located in the Arboretum south of either end of the Wilcox Bridge and in 36-5E, south of the greenhouse.

1)  Cupressus arizonica var. montana   (San Pedro Martir Cypress) 

Selected Cuttings from the Washington Park Arboretum (November 14 - 28, 2011)

• This botanical variety of Arizona cypress grows at a high elevation in northern Baja California in
  the San Pedro Martir mountain range.
• Has attractive bark and cones that open when ripe.
• Listed as “vulnerable” in the IUCN red list.
• Located in 2-6E, south end of Arboretum Drive along Broadmoor fence.

2)  Diospyros sp.  (Persimmon)

• This small deciduous tree is laden w/ tiny edible berries.
• Berries typically need frost to ripen and are astringent if unripe.
• There are several Asian varieties that are sold in our local markets this time of year.
• Located in 12-2W, north of Boyer parking lot.

3)  Magnolia virginiana   (Sweet Bay)

• Coastal southeastern US semi-evergreen magnolia.
• Small, scented white flowers in spring, hence its common name.
• This specimen shows fruiting cones that have begun to split open exposing shiny red seeds.
• Located in 27-2W, west of Azalea Way and north of Loderi Valley intersection.

4)  Osmanthus fragrans    (Fragrant Tea Olive)

• Large evergreen shrub native to China.
• Fragrant, small white flowers in fall are used to infuse green or black tea leaves, to create
  a scented tea called guì huā chá (桂花茶).
• This specimen is located in the China entry garden of Pacific Connections Gardens, below
  interpretive shelter.

5)  Platycarya strobilacea

• This walnut family member is a small deciduous tree native to Asia.
• Female infloresence resemble a cone, as seen on this specimen.
• Located in 30-4W, east toe of Yew Hill.

1) Callicarpa japonica   (Japanese beautyberry)

Selected cuttings from the Washington Park Arboretum (October 31 - November 14, 2011)

• Native to Japan, the small metallic purple berries of this multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub are
  best viewed when the leaves have dropped beginning mid-to-late fall.
• The berries are an important survival food for birds and other animals.
• Beautyberry is just beginning to reflect its true glory in the Winter Garden.

2) Daphniphyllum macropodum

• It is one of the most handsome evergreens for foliage effects.
• Heat tolerant and remarkably cold-hardy, it is a distinguished addition to the Woodland Garden.
• It prospers in shade in moist, well-drained soil and can grow 10′-12′ with equal spread.

3) Grevillea victoriae    (Royal grevillea)

• The specific epithet victoriae was named for Queen Victoria.
• Here in the Pacific Northwest, the flowers provide winter hummingbird food.
• There are two Grevillea victoriae thriving in “Australia” in the Pacific Connections Garden.

4) Pyracantha rogersiana ‘Aurantiaca’    (Asian firethorn)

• A spreading shrub with arching branches and small bright evergreen leaves.
• White flowers in spring are followed by orange-red berries in fall.
• Seeds may cause mild stomach upset if ingested.

5) Symphoricarpos albus    (White snowberry)

• Snowberry is a lovely, deciduous sub shrub native to the Pacific Northwest.
• Small, pink bell-like flowers appear in mid-spring and are much loved by hummingbirds.
• The white berries have the size and consistency of mini marshmallows which are winter food for varied thrush.

Species of Sorbus are commonly known as whitebeam, rowan, service tree, and mountain ash. All these cuttings are from the Brian Mulligan Sorbus Collection, located to the east of Arboretum Drive across from the Magnolia Collection.

Selected cuttings from the Washington Park Arboretum (September 19 – October 3, 2011)

1) Sorbus aucuparia (European Rowan)

• Sorbus aucuparia is native to most of Europe except for the far south, and northern Asia.
• It is listed as a ‘Weed of Concern’ by the King County Noxious Weed Board because of its propensity to spread seeds far and wide via birds.
• This specimen was collected from the last remaining Sorbus aucuparia, which fell over during the past weekend.

2) Sorbus commixta (Japanese Rowan)

• Sorbus commixta is a species of rowan native to Japan, the far east of Russia on Sakhalin, and in Korea on the island of Ulleungdo.
• Performs very well in the Pacific Northwest, producing large crops of berries.
• While unappetizing to humans, birds (especially robins) can denude a tree of berries in a day.

3) Sorbus prattii

• Sorbus prattii is a Chinese rowan bearing small corymbs of white flowers in late spring followed by green berries that ripen to white.

4) Sorbus tamamschjanae

• A little known red-berried, simple-leafed Rowan from Armenia.

5) Sorbus vestita (Himalayan Whitebeam)

• Broad and conical tree with sharply toothed leaves, that has corymbs of white flowers that bloom in late spring followed by yellowish-green berries with brown freckles.

1. Catalpa X erubescens (Hybrid Catalpa)
2. Hibiscus ‘Lohengrin’
3. Kalopanax pictus (Prickly castor-oil tree)
4. Quercus hypoleucoides (Silverleaf oak)
5. Sequoia sempervirens ‘Henderson Blue’

Complete details.

1. Hydrangea involucrata ‘Tama Azisai’
2. Lonicera xylosteum (Fly honeysuckle)
3. Magnolia virginiana var. australis
4. Rhododendron degronianum ssp. yakushimanum
5. Sorbus scopulina var. cascadensis

Complete details.