Preserving and Enhancing a Northwest treasure!
Arbor eNotes February 2020
Opening Night RSVP Deadline: February 15!

If you haven't gotten your ticket to the gala event of the season, you'd best hurry: The RSVP deadline for our Opening Night Party & Auction at the NW Flower & Garden Festival is fast approaching. Get your tickets today, then grab your love beads and lava lamps for "Flower Power," our Earth-Day-themed gala on February 25 benefiting the Arboretum. Enjoy groovy gardens, outta sight performances, and fab food, while learning how the Arboretum is committed to fostering the next generation of environmental stewards.  

Auction Preview: Cooking Lab Tour, Suncadia Stay & More

We've added more items to our Auction Preview page, which provides a sneak peek at the awesome adventures you'll be able to bid on during Opening Night Party. These include a unique opportunity to visit The Cooking Lab, Nathan Myhrvold's cutting-edge research kitchen in Bellevue (pictured). How does a two-night penthouse stay in The Lodge at Suncadia grab you? Or a private party for 20 at the Seattle Japanese Garden?

First Viewing at the Japanese Garden: March 1

The Seattle Japanese Garden opens its special 60th anniversary season with the First Viewing Ceremony on Sunday, March 1, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Advance admission tickets are required to attend this traditional Shinto blessing. They go on sale February 10. The Garden will open to public shortly after the ceremony, at noon. Guided tours are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. and are free with admission.

Memorial Tree: Honoring Family and the Boys of '36

The Foundation has long coordinated a c ommemorative tree and bench program at the Arboretum. One recent memorial tree, dedicated by John Day, caught our attention. It's a beautiful Freeman maple out by the shore of Lake Washington, on Foster Island, and the tree not only honors John and seven family members - some living, some deceased - but also a famed University of Washington rowing team. John's father, Chuck Day, was a member of the team that won gold at the 1936 Olympics. Read our interview with John and hear the story behind his dedication.

Comparing the New Zealand Forest to the "Real Deal"

In March 2019, garden writer Janine Anderson visited Arthur's Pass National Park on New Zealand's South Island. A rugged, mountainous protected area, the park was the inspiration for the Arboretum's first ever eco-geographic garden and, ultimately, our two-acre New Zeland Forest, created in 2013. In the latest  Arboretum Bulletin, Janine describes the landscape and flora she encountered and assesses how well our forest garden captures the look and feel of the "real deal." 

Washington Botanical Symposium: March 4

UW Botanic Gardens and the UW Herbarium are co-hosting their annual botanical symposium at the Center for Urban Horticulture on Wednesday, March 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hear from the experts on topics ranging from how we can best manage biodiversity to understanding climate change impacts on native plant communities. Get the latest information on classifying our state's rare, common, and invasive flora. Fee: $85.
Arboretum & Related News


 A Nature Connection
On the UWBG blog, Fiddleheads teacher Hannah Bressler describes 10 easy ways to nurture a child's connection to nature. One tip is to simply slow down and notice your surroundings. 

Exhibit: Willow Art
This month, the Miller Library is hosting a willow-themed exhibit showcasing the work of seven artists. It features paintings, hand-made baskets, photography, and works on paper.

  Ornamental Bark
A recent article by Lorene Edwards Forkner in Pacific NW Magazine discussed the beautiful bark on many of the trees growing in the Arboretum's Witt Winter Garden. 
Banner image | Snowdrops blooming in the Witt Winter Garden.
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