Announcing the 6th Annual Urban Forest Symposium! Registration is now open for this year’s symposium, focusing on Climate Change and the Urban Forest. Learn about the climatic changes our region can expect and strategies that can be used to plan and manage for a healthy and resilient urban forest. Presenters will discuss the expected changes to the climate, urban forest responses, and what urban foresters and advocates can do to prepare. READ MORE.

Join the Student Conservation Association for our annual Earth Day service event on April 12 from 9am to 2pm. We'll also be celebrating the 30th anniversary of SCA’s conservation leadership youth program in Seattle! Attending will be Liz Putnam, SCA’s Founder and the first conservationist to receive the Presidential Citizens Medal—the nation’s second highest civilian award! Following a short program in the meadow, volunteers will prune back overgrown vegetation, remove invasive plant species, and re-vegetate areas with native plants. READ MORE.

Remember that the Arboretum Foundation's Annual FlorAbundance Spring Plant Sale is coming up on April 27 & 28. This year, the event is returning to the newly renovated Building 30 at Magnuson Park. See Doctor Wott's article below for a historical overview of the sale. And if you can't wait for the big sale, you'll want to attend the Early Bloomer's Plant Sale on April 12 at the Washington Park Arboretum. READ MORE.

(by Dr. John A. Wott, Director Emeritus) The first major plant sale in Seattle (now called FlorAbundance) was sponsored by the Arboretum Foundation as a fund raiser for what was then the University of Washington Arboretum. The sales were originally held in a small building called Floral Hall, which later burned down. As the plant sale grew, it was moved to the small cluster of buildings on the northern end of the Arboretum. READ MORE.

Come to the Garden Lovers' Book Sale on April 5!

Love gardening, plants, trees, flowers or growing food? Can't pass up a bargain? Then you won't want to miss the 9th annual GARDEN LOVERS' BOOK SALE of used books at the Center for Urban Horticulture. This important benefit for the Elisabeth C. Miller Library funds the purchase of new books and magazine subscriptions. Beautiful art will also be for sale from the Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists. The sale is free to the public on Saturday, April 5 from 9am to 3pm.

(by Riz Reyes, Soest Gardener) Spring flowers are in abundance in April, but very few possess the charm and delightful scent of the infamous lily-of-the-valley. Known to be a thug in the garden once established, a variegated selection appeared that seemed to not grow as quickly. Still quick to spread in rich, moist soil and capable of competing with neighboring plants, the thin yellow striping along the leaf is quite unusual and can light up shady areas both before, during and after bloom. READ MORE.