lorticulture /depts.washington.edu/urijhort Spring 2001 director’s notes It is with pleasure that I introduce Sue Nicol who replaces Dave Stockdale as the Center’s Outreach Coordinator. Sue comes to us from the Woodland Park Zoo where she served as Horticulturist for 17 years. Butterflies and Blooms and the Northern Trail Exhibit were two of her favorite projects along with the Zoo Doo program which she started in 1986. She has a degree in English from Lewis and Clark College and a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Oregon State University. We are very excited to welcome her to the CUH team. By the time you receive this newsletter, interviews for the faculty position in Environmental Horticulture and Urban Planning will have concluded and the Seattle City Council will soon vote on the Washington Park Arboretum Master Plan. If you have questions about the Arboretum Master Plan, contact Arboretum Director John Wott who, along with former CUH Director Clem Hamilton, devoted considerable time and energy to the Plan’s development. The Miller Library’s year-end fundraising campaign was especially successful this year, spurred on by a generous matching grant from the Miller Charitable Foundation. Funds raised help to keep the library open 49 hours each week, and to buy I books, journals and online services. Library staff helped with a bit of the planning, and attended the opening night, of the I “Treasures of The Royal Horticultural Society” botanical art exhibit at the Convention Center in January. Andrew Colquhoun, I Director General of the RHS, and Brent Elliott, librarian at the Lindley Library, toured the Miller Library and the Center for Urban Horticulture while they were visiting Seattle to celebrate the exhibit. The Center’s student population continues to grow and achieve. For example, this year’s only recipient of the Martin McLaren Scholarship, awarded by The Garden Club of America, is undergraduate Heidi Watters. Heidi will soon leave for the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew for several months of study under the auspices of the British Institute of Horticulture. Tom Hinckley, Director, Center for Urban Horticulture special news New Plant Answer Line Debuts This Spring Wondering where to buy seed for fragrant sweet peas, or what kind of ornamental cherry is in bloom down the street? Call the Miller Library’s new Plant Answer Line for quick answers to your garden questions. Modeled after the quick reference service so popular in public libraries, the Plant Answer Line is tailored to the needs of Pacific Northwest gardeners. This new service will debut in April, made possible by funding from the Miller Charitable Foundation. To find out the new phone number and start-up date for the Plant Answer Line (not available at press time) call the regular Library line at 206-543-0415, send us an email at hortlib@u. washington.edu or check our web page http://depts.washington.edu/hortlib. Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden Announces Great Plant Picks EXPERIENCED HORTICULTURISTS RECOGNIZE 15 UNBEATABLE PLANTS FOR THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST GARDEN. Great Plant Picks is a new plant awards program for the Pacific Northwest. Designed to help gardeners identify unbeatable plants for their home gardens, the plants are selected by experienced horticulturists from Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. The goal of the program is to create a comprehensive list of superb plants in three categories: trees and conifers; shrubs and vines; and perennials. The geographic area included in Great Plant Picks is from Eugene, Oregon to Vancouver, British Columbia. Criteria for selection include hardi- ness, ease of care, and availability. Free plant fact sheets with color photographs are available online at www.greatplantpicks.org. Fact sheets can be printed on any color printer. Great Plant Picks is funded by a grant from the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden Trust and administered by the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden. Univpr<;ih/ * 1 0 2001 Center for urban horticulture miller LIBRARY BOX 354115 Seattle, Washington 98195-4115 (206) 543-86 1 6 ^ r* ^ ' april calendar or events s m 15 22 2pin,CUH Cascade Cactus & Succulent Society 7pin, CUH Ornithological Society 29 9am ■ 3pm, CUH Master Gardener Plant sale 7:30pm, CUH Iris Society I w 3 7pm, CUH* Botanical Illustration 11 10 lOam - 3pm Arboretum Foundation Plant Sale, Sand Point 7pm, CUH Orchid Society 8:30am, CUH* Prohort: Plant Pest Recognition 7pm, CUH* NHS Lecture: Problem- Solving in the Perennial Garden 12 7:30pm, CUH Rock Garden Society 23 7pm, CUH* Botanical Illustration 7:30pm, CUH Bonsai Association 7pm, CUH* SPU Lecture: Growing Healthy Soil 7pm, CUH PlantAmnesty 18 7pm, CUH* Natural Lawn Care 21 9am - 4pm, CUH Master Gardener Plant Sale 19 7pm, CUH Audubon Society 28 12pm - 5pm, CUH African Violet Show and Sale 9:30am, WPA* Arboretum Plant Study Every Sunday: Ipm. WPA Guided Tour 7:30pm, CUH Puget Sound Mycological Society 10am - 3 pm Arboretum Foundation Plant Sale, Sand Point 17 7:30pm, CUH Rose Society 24 6:30pm, CUH Association for Women in Horticulture Every Saturday: Ipm, WPA Guided Tour 7pm, CUH* Small Trees for Urban Spaces may I r: i:i 13 lOam - 5pm, CUH Bonsai Exhibit 20 2pm, CUH Cascade Cactus & Succulent Society 7 7pm, CUH Ornithological Society 14 7pm, CUH Orchid Society Every Sunday: Ipm, WPA Guided Tour f 1 8 7pm, CUH* Fabulous Vines for the Northwest 23 7:30pm, CUH Puget Sound Mycological Society 7pm, CUH* NHS Lecture: Deciduous Divas: Small Shrubs & Trees for Flowers, Foliage or Fruit 7pm, CUH* Of Mice and Moles: Vertebrate Pests 12 10am - 5pm, CUH Bonsai Exhibit 15 7:30pm, CUH Rose Society 22 8am -5pm, CUH* Specialty Garden and Nursery Tour 16 7pm, CUH* Drip Irrigation Part I 10 7:30pm, CUH Rock Garden Society 19 9am, CUH* Drip Irrigation Part II, Off-Site 17 7pm, CUH Audubon Society Every Saturday: Ipm, WPA Guided Tour 7:30pm, CUH* WSU Practical Gardening Lecture: Beneficial Beauties 4uiia 17 2pm. CUH Cascade Cactus & Succulent Society 4 7:30pm, CUH Ornithological Society 11 7pm, CUH Orchid Society Every Sunday: l^,WPA Guid^ Tour * . 4^ .V 'L/. . a ':.I 1 W 5 7:30pm, CUH Rose Society 12 6:30pm. CUH* Design Studio: Smali Garden Design 7:30pm, CUH Puget Sound Mycological Society 13 7pm, CUH PlantAmnesty 21 7:30pm, CUH* WSU Practical Gardening Lecture: Perennial Pleasures 1 Ipm-lOpm, CUH Hardy Fern Foundation Fern Festival 2 10:30am, CUH* ' Construction Demo: Rebar Garden Supports 1pm- 10pm, CUH Hardy Fern Foundation Fern Festival 16 9am, CUH* Construction Demo: Building Your Own Stone or Paver Patio Every Saturday: Ipm, WPA Guided Tour CUH = Center for Urban Horticulture WPA = Washington Park Arboretum Fee university of Washington center for urban horticuiture The CUH mission is “to apply horticulture to natural and human-altered landscapes to sustain natural resources and the human spirit". Director Tom Hinckley Director, WPA John Wott Continuing and Public Education Douglas Research Conservatory Elisabeth C. Miller Library Otis Douglas Hyde Herbarium Undergraduate and Graduate Education Union Bay Gardens Union Bay Natural Area Washington Park Arboretum University of Washington Coiiege of Forest Resources Center for Urban Horticuiture Box 354115 3501 NE 41st Street Seattle, Washington 98195-4115 (206)685-8033 phone (206)685-2692 fax http://depts. Washington, edu/urbhort/ Urban Horticulture Newsletter, Vol 18. No. 2 CUH/CFR Continuing & Public Education Staff Washington Park Arboretum Box 358010 2300 Arboretum Drive East Seattle, Washington 98195-8010 (206) 543-8800 phone (206)325-8893 fax http://depts. Washington, edu/wpa/ Sue Nicol, Outreach Coordinator Chrissy Scannell, Newsletter Editor Jean Robins, Program Coordinator Monica Ravin, Education Coordinator Assistant (Youth & Community Outreach Programs) Becky Stanley, Arboretum Education Assistant Shawna Hartung, Arboretum Education Assistant CUH Building & Rentals Managenient Staff Becky Johnson, CUH Facilities Manager Ray Larson, CUH Assistant Facilities Manager Ann Aherne, Interim WPA Facilities Manager affiliated gardening & horticultural programs Natural Lawn and Garden Lectures The following classes are co-sponsored by CUH, Seattle Public Utilities and local water purveyor partners. Growing Healthy Soil Date & Time: Tuesday, April 10, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Instructor: David McDonald, Seattle Public Utilities Location: Douglas Classroom, CUH Fee: $5; pre-registration required Healthy lawns and gardens grow in healthy soil, and many plant problems can be traced to problems with the soil. Discover the fascinat- ing microbial life of soils, and learn how living soils provide essential services like nutrient cycling, soil structure, and plant disease protection. Then learn how you can diagnose problems in your soil, and simple methods to improve the vitality of your soil and plants using compost, mulch and other amendments. This class will be fun, full of practical tips, and allow plenty of time for your questions. Six Steps to Natural Lawn Care Date & Time: Wednesday, April 18, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Instructor: David McDonald, Seattle Public Utilities Location: Douglas Classroom, CUH Fee: $5; pre-registration required Learn how you can have a healthy, easy to care for lawn that’s easy on our environment too! Natural lawns need less water, fertilizer, and pesticides, and rely on building healthy soil to grow vigorous, weed and pest-resistant turf. This class will cover soil improvement, over- seeding & aeration, mowing, watering, weed management and fertilizing for a healthy lawn - practices developed and tested with turf experts around the region. There will be plenty of time for your questions, and a demonstration of mulching lawn mowers and other equipment for easy natural lawn care. Drip Irrigation Made Easy Date & Time: ) Instructor: Location: jl I Fee: Part I: Wednesday, May 16, 7 to 9 p.m. Part II: Saturday, May 19, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Howard Stenn, Stenn Design Part I: Douglas Classroom, CUH Part II: Bradner Gardens Park, 29th Ave. S. and S. Grand St. $5 per session; pre-registration required Part I: Find out how to save time and water, reduce plant diseases and weeds and get water directly to your plants' roots. Howard Stenn, drip irrigation specialist, will describe how you can achieve these benefits through drip irrigation. Learn about the pros and cons of various drip systems and understand how they are assembled, where to buy them, and what to avoid. Part I is a pre-requisite to attending Part II, described below. Part II: This class will build on your knowledge from Part I and will provide hands-on experience. You will be guided, step-by-step, through different types of drip system assemblies. Gain confidence to install and maintain drip irrigation in your own garden through this opportu- nity. This class is co-sponsored by Seattle Tilth and King County Master Gardeners at Bradner Gardens Park. Bradner Gardens is a collaboration of horticultural and community groups that are transforming a park space into an area of environmental education and recreation. j WSU Practical Gardening Lectures These entry-level lectures and demonstrations for beginning gardeners are planned jointly with the WSU Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program, and are presented by experienced WSU Master Gardeners and Cooperative Extension staff. Beneficial Beauties Date & Time: Instructor: Location: Fee: Thursday, May 17, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Brad Gaolach, Master Gardener Douglas Classroom, CUH $5; pre-registration required Master Gardener Brad Gaolach talks about the insects you are likely to see in your garden, how to recognize them and what they do. Most are friends, not foes, of the home gardener. Perennial Pleasures Date & Time: instructor: Location: Fee: Thursday, June 21, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Victoria Gilleland, Master Gardener Douglas Classroom, CUH $5; pre-registration required Master Gardener Victoria Gilleland talks about perennials and rose varieties suitable for northwest gardens. gardening and horticultural programs Small Trees for Urban Gardens Date & Time: Tuesday, April 24, 7 to 9 p.m. Instructor: Gayle Walters, Master Gardener and Garden Speaker Location: Douglas Classroom, CUH Fee: $20 general public, $18 Arboretum Foundation members; pre-registration required April is a perfect time for planting trees. This is more than just a right-plant-for-the-right-place lesson! Discover new and exciting spaces. Learn botanical considerations for choosing the right species. Find what factors need to be considered when planting a tree. for smaller Of Mice and Moles: Vertebrate Pests In Your Garden Date & Time: Instructor: Location: Fee: Thursday, May 3, 7 to 9 p.m. Dave Pehling, Snohomish County Extension Analyst Douglas Classroom, CUH $20 general public, $18 Arboretum Foundation members; pre-registration required Have you wondered how to stop those pesky squirrels from eating your bulbs? Can you still use mole traps to deal with those lawn-destroying pests? What birds are more problem than pleasure for you? You won’t want to miss vertebrate pest expert and Master Gardener trainer Dave Pehling discussing several of the most common and bothersome pests and what you can and can’t do about them. Pests to be discussed include rodents such as squirrels and mice, moles, raccoons, and bird pests such as crows and starlings. Fabulous Vines for the Northwest Date & Time: Instructor: Location: Fee: Tuesday, May 8, 7 to 9 p.m. Pat Roome, Landscape Designer Douglas Classroom, CUH $20 general public, $18 Arboretum Foundation members; pre-registration required. Vines are an exciting and creative way to add structure to your garden: allow them to cascade over walls, fill a blank wall or a trellis, or wind up a pole. Learn about the many deciduous and evergreen vines that will grow well in our region and how to care for them in this introductory level slide lecture course. wiaiAis and tours Specialty Garden and Nursery Tour Date & Time: Tuesday, May 22, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: Meet at east parking lot, adjacent to Douglas Research Conservatory, CUH Fee: $45; pre-registration required. Includes transportation and box lunch First stop on the tour is Heronswood Nursery on the Kitsap Peninsula. After a tour of the private garden of Dan Hinkley and Robert Jones, participants will have an opportunity to buy plants from the nursery. After lunch at Point No Point, weather permitting, we catch the Washington State Ferry back to Edmonds for a stop at Mareen Kruckeberg’s MsK Rare Plant Nursery, where we will have another short tour and an opportunity to buy more wonderful plants. , ; Self-Guided Learning Opportunities Use the Arboretum as your outdoor classroom. This 230 acre, centrally located urban forest offers a wealth of study materials and experimental opportunities, and we will assist you in planning your visit by offering information on specific subject areas and plant collections free of charge. Groups of 10 or more must schedule their visit with the Education Office by phoning (206) 543-8801. arboretum plant study Come enjoy a walk through the Arboretum and learn about plants of seasonal interest (flowers, fruits, cones). Twenty plants will be covered with discussion and handouts providing information on plant identification, selection, cultivation, and function in the landscape. Spring Section: Date & Time: Instructor: Depart From: Fee: Saturday, April 28, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Scott Conner, Consulting Horticulturist, Conner Enterprises Graham Visitors Center, WPA $22 general public, $20 Arboretum Foundation members; pre-registration required, class size limited design studio Design Studio gives you the opportunity to problem-solve with a top landscape designer in the company of homeowners with similar needs. This class Is for those working to enhance 'existing landscapes. Designing for the Small Garden Date & Time: Tuesday, June 12, 6:30 to 9 p.m. ■ Instructor: ■ Regina Grubb, Landscape Designer Location: Douglas Classroom, CUH Fee: $30 general public; pre-registration required ) ■ This section will include a brief discussion of small-garden design, followed by an opportunity for attendees to work on their individual issues with Regina. Group discussions will allow attendees to hear solutions from the designer as well as the rest of the class. Each student is asked to bring along site pictures, illustrations, or other relevant resources to better facilitate discussion. construction demonstrations Rebar Curlicues & Garden Supports Workshop Date & Time: Saturday, June 2, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Instructor: Lindsay Smith, owner of Hooplah Location: Douglas Classroom & CUH Grounds Fee: / / $50 general public; pre-registration required ^reate beautiful plant supports by learning how to bend rebar in this demonstration and hands-on workshop. A sample supply of materials is included in the egistration fee, with the opportunity to purchase additional materials and bender for further projects. Come attend this exciting and creative class that will ^dd a new and useful art form to your garden. Bring gloves and dress appropriately for the weather. building Your Own Stone or Paver Patio Date & Time: Saturday, June 16, 9 a.m. to noon Instructor: Tory Galloway, Piriformis Nursery Location: Seattle private home, map provided with class confirmation P®®: $35 general public; pre-registration required, class size limited l^ass includes a bhef review of design considerations, a discussion of the supplies needed (including materials options,' determining amounts needed costs ^ the tools required and their use, plus a demonstration of the construction techniques necessary to complete the project’ V. youth & family programs For more information or to schedule any of the following programs, please contact the Arboretum Education Office, Monday-Friday, at (206) 543-8801. Self-Guided Tours of the Arboretum: • Try an Arboretum Family Pack or Explorer Pack this spring. Our pack programs are a great way to explore the Arboretum at your own pace with all the supplies and field guides you need. Each pack comes with activity directions, an Arboretum map and a map of suggested areas to explore. Explorer Packs are designed for larger groups of up to 30 kids and are great for teachers or youth groups making a day of the Arboretum. Family Packs are designed for smaller groups of up to 5 kids. Topics: Tree-tective: Grades K-8 Learn amazing facts about trees as you explore the Arboretum’s urban forest. Pack includes field guides, leaf cards, tree cookies, leaf penetrometer experiment and more. Marsh Madness: Grades K-8 Dive in and discover the ecology of an urban marsh. Pack includes dip nets, aquaria, scavenger hunt cards, hand lenses, field guides, games and more. Two-hour rentals available between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., 7 days a week, year-round Explorer Packs are $15 per pack. Packs contain materials for 15 to 30 participants. Pre-registration and two weeks advance notice are required. Family Packs are $5 per pack, FREE to Arboretum Foundation member families. They can be checked out at the front desk of the Graham Visitor Center on a first come, first served basis. Two topics: Tree-tective and Wetland Wonders. All packs come with activity directions, an Arboretum map and a map of suggested areas to explore. Dates & Times: Fees: Saplings School Program Tours Explore the Arboretum with trained guides! School tours are Monday-Friday 10:00-11:30 am. The cost is $2.50 per child (chaperones are free). Two adult chaperones per 15 children are required. Scholarships available. All of Sapling’s curricula are aligned with the state’s Essential Academic Learning Require- ments. The spring is a busy time at the Arboretum so remember to book your reservations at least three weeks in advance. Grades K - 2: Discover Plants Younger students gain exposure to the wonderful world of plants by using characteristics to categorize living things. Students will compare and contrast similarities between plants and people as they learn what each needs to grow and be healthy. Grades 3 - 6: Spring Sprouts What is the reason for a flower? Discover the secrets of springtime as you learn about the life cycle of plants from flower to fruit. Perpetuate the cycle by planting seeds of your own to take home. Grades 3-5: Native Plants & People What is a native plant? Students will learn to identify several NW native plants. Discover the historical importance of native plants to the Coast Salish people. Students will learn how native plants were used in daily life through discussion, by using hands-on artifacts and role-playing activities. Grades K-8: Wetland Ecology Walk Explore the complex world of a wetland ecosystem. Learn firsthand about various habitats around the Arboretum. Foster Island provides a unique opportunity for students to study an urban wetland up close and discover the importance of these natural systems. Branching Out: A University of Washington After School Program Branching Out is an after-school program for middle-school students to do creative service learning projects. It’s also a chance to gain community-service hours by working on-site at the Washington Park Arboretum. Students participating in Branching Out will gain interpretive skills, learn basic botany and help with a variety of fun habitat hot-spot projects here at the Arboretum. arboretum foundation news & events J Early Bloomers Sale :i Bet an early start on spring gardening. Annuals, ^ , jerennials and many unusual items for special ; additions to your garden or yard. Saturday, April 14, J LO a.m. - 2 p.m. Plant Donations area, just south , )f Graham Visitors Center. No admission charge. i ^LORAbundance Spring Plant Sale \ remarkable selection of perennials, annuals, ; shrubs, trees, grasses and hard-to-find plants, j Dver 50 leading nurseries and vendors; experts to answer your questions. Saturday, April 28, LO a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 29, LO a.m. - 3 p.m. Sand Point, Building 30. Plenty of ' ree parking. No admission charge. Also stop by , he Arboretum's Plant Donations Department for a ' nini-FLORAbundance. Same hours as the I -LORAbundance sale. ' Dngoing Plant Sales Buy your favorite and unusual plants at the Arbore- um. The Plant Donations Department sells lonated plants Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 ^ vm • the Pat Calvert Greenhouse sells propagated Tuesdays, 10 a.m. - noon. Both are open on second Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Plant Dona- tions and the Greenhouse are located at the south end of the Graham Visitors Center area. Spring Winning Gardens Tour See five award-winning private gardens, open to the public only on this special day. Saturday, June 16, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Call (206) 325-4510 for tickets and information. Mother’s Day at the Arboretum Sunday, May 13, join in the decades-old tradition of a Mother’s Day Azalea Way walk. Special programs and attractions throughout the day. Check the Arboretum Foundation newsletter or call (206) 726-1954 after May 1 for more information. For more information on Arboretum Foundation events, please call the events hotline at (206) 726-1954. Visit the Foundation website at www.orgsites.com/wa/arboretumfoundation/ Volunteer Quarterly Information and fun for Arboretum volunteers. Thursday, June 21, 10 a.m. - noon. Graham Visitors Center. Call Elaine Anderson, (206) 325-4510. Interested in Volunteering? Flelp is needed for special events, the Foundation office, education programs, and special projects around the Arboretum. Call Elaine Anderson, (206) 325-4510. Greenhouse Work Parties Learn propagation and help out at the Pat Calvert Green- house every Tuesday, 10 a.m. - noon. Call Lynn Schueler, (206) 243-6784. Attention All University and Arboretum Foundation Volunteers: You won't want to miss this year’s Volunteer Dessert Buffet on Wednesday, March 21. Our featured speaker will be Valerie Easton, popular local garden writer and Manager of the Miller Horticultural Library. She will be talking about her new book. Artists in their Gardens. Don't miss the fabulous desserts and the announcement of this year’s winners of the Brian Mulligan Award! Look for your invitation in the mail. CUH Reception Desk Volunteers Urgently Needed: Interact with visitors, faculty, staff, and students while helping out with phone calls and answering general questions. Your help will be greatly appreci- ated, particularly for shifts on either Monday or Friday, either a half or whole day. Call Ray Larson, (206) 616-9113, for more information. Lend a Hand to the Slide Collection: CUH has a terrific collection of slides, including photos of perennials, trees, shrubs, and famous gardens. Many slides are in dire need of a little TLC. Re- mount glass-framed slides, check collection for mis-filed slides, integrate new slides into collec- tion. Your effort of just one or two hours can make a big impact on this collection! Contact Erikka Pearson, Curatorial Assistant for the Otis Douglas Hyde Herbarium, (206) 685-2589 or epearson@u. Washington, edu. In Search of Urban Plant Hunters: The Otis Douglas Hyde Herbarium is interested in documenting occurrences of weeds in Washington. We are looking for a few good plant hunters to walk through city parks, neighborhoods, and industrial areas, in search of weeds. Contact Erikka Pearson, (206) 685-2589 or epearson@u. washington.edu. Tuesdays In the Garden: Come and work with the Arboretum staff every Tuesday, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. to help provide essential garden care. Tasks vary with the season. Enjoy and help tend to the wonderful plants in the Arboretum. Call Chris Pfeiffer at (206) 328-4182 for information and to sign up. Community Service Groups: Community service groups are a vital source of support in caring for the plant collections and managing invasive weed problems, where many hands make light work. Arboretum staff lead and work with groups at a ratio of one staff person per 15 to 20 volunteers. Work parties can be scheduled throughout the year. Call Chris Pfeiffer at (206) 328-4182 for more information or to sign up. WPA Information Desk Volunteers Urgently Needed: Greet visitors, share your enthusiasm, answer questions, and interact with staff and other volunteers in the stimulating environment at the Arboretum. Shift times are either half or whole day, once a week. Call Ann, the Building Manager, at (206) 543-8801. Kudos to the Saplings Volunteers: What a busy winter season. We couldn’t have done it without you! A special thanks to ALL the dedicated fall Saplings Guides: Susan Anstine, Cassie Benz, Tristin Brown, Lesley Canfield, Anne Davis, Kathleen Doyle, Kristen Durance, Siobhan Rtzgerald, Rose Rtzpatrick, Linda Igoe, Richard Johnson, Kelly Kirkland, Kris Ronningen-Fenrich, Frank Lawley, Kathy Martin, Martha Mercer, Krissy Paynter, Rich Scheyer, Georgene Scott, Lauren Schachner, Mary Lou Smith, Bethany Sullivan, Nell Weimers, and Katie West. STUDENTS! Earn Credit While Working With Saplings School Program: Gain experience working with children, perfect your interpreting skills and take a weekly tour of the amazing Arboretum this spring. Saplings School Pro- grams are M-F, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. We train all guides and have four thematic programs: Discover Plants, Spring Sprouts, Wetland Ecology Walk and Native Plants & People. Spring training starts the last week in March and school programs run from April - June. Call the Education Department for more information on how to volunteer, (206) 543-8801, or check the web site: http://www.cfr.washington.edu/ class_pages/uhf/uhf41 1/ Sapling Guide Spring Training: March 26-30. No experience necessary! We just ask that you have a desire to spread your knowledge and passion about plants and nature with children. This is a great opportunity to become familiar with the Arboretum grounds and to meet fun, enthusiastic people. Join us the last week of March. Call (206) 543-8801. Work with Youth in Garden Sites: Seattle Youth Garden Works is currently in need of caring adult volunteers to work with youth in our South Park and University District garden sites.Call Margaret Hauptmann, (206) 525-1213 X 3131. Mail payment and registration to: Urban Horticulture Courses University of Washington Box 354115 Seattle, Washington 98195-4115 Or you may register in person at the Union Bay campus, 3501 NE 41st St., M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please make checks payable to the University of Washing- ton. No bankcards. Registrations are filled in the order received. Enrollment is limited, classes fill rapidly so register early. A portion of fees may cover refreshments and speaker expenses. Refunds: Requests for refunds on events not attended must be made in advance in writing, by phone or fax, or in person. Requests received fewer than 7 days from the first class meeting have a $5 handling fee deducted. No . refunds can be made after the first class meeting. If a program is cancelled for any reason a full refund will be made to all enrollees. Refunds may require four weeks for processing. Returned Checks: An $18.00 service fee will be charged for returned checks. Special Needs: To request disability accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Office at least ten days In advance of an event: (206) 543-6450 (voice); (206) 543-6452 (TTY); or by e-mail at dso@u. Washington, edu. Class Locations and Parking: Program locations are listed with each program description. The Graham Visitors Center at Washington Park Arboretum is located at 2300 Arboretum Drive East; free parking is located adjacent to the building. Douglas Classroom, NHS Hall and the other meeting facilities at Union Bay are located at 3501 NE 41st Street; free parking is located adjacent to the buildings. registration form program fee af members # spaces total fee Gardening & Horticuiture Programs at CUH Small Trees for Urban Gardens $20 $18 Of Mice and Moles: Vertebrate Pests $20 $18 Fabulous Vines for the Northwest $20 $18 Specialty Nursery and Garden Tour $45 WSU Practical Gardening Lectures: Beneficial Beauties $5 WSU Practical Gardening Lectures: Perennial Pleasures $5 Affiliated Lecture Series J , Seattle Public Utilities: Growing Healthy Soil $5 1 Seattle Public Utilities: Six Steps to Natural Lawn Care $5 1 Seattle Public Utilities; Drip Irrigation Made Easy Part 1 $5 Seattle Public Utilities: Drip Irrigation Made Easy Part II $5 (cut here) af program fee members # spaces total fee Design Studio Designing for the Small Garden $30 Construction Demonstrations Rebar Curlicues & Garden Supports Workshop $50 Building Your Own Stone or Paver Patio $35 Arboretum Plant Study Program Spring Section (April 28) $22 $20 Maii registration forms to: CUH Courses Box 354115 Seattie, WA 981954115 For more information, caii (206) 685-8033 Check enclosed for: (Please make check payable to University of Washington) Name Address * City state Zip Phone (day) (evening) Fax e-mail University of Washington Center for Urban Horticulture Box 354115 Seattle, WA 98195-4115 09-9615-122 Nonprofit org. U.S. Postage PAID Seattle, Wash. Permit No. 62 Spring 2001 news from cuh & wpa Publishing Successes; Val Easton, Manager of the Miller Horticultural Library, is enjoying several publishing successes. In addition to the publication of her book. Artists in their Gardens (Sasquatch Press), three respected gardening journals have recently published her work as well. Look for her contribu- tions in the February issues of Gardens Illus- trated, Horticulture, and Fine Gardening. Con- gratulations to Val on the publication of her new book. We are looking forward to many more titles from this productive and creative writer! Blooms of Bressingham Perennials: If you haven’t yet visited the three island beds located west of the building complex at CUH, you may not be aware that the Center for Urban Horticulture is a participant in a perennial plant evaluation program sponsored by Blooms of Bressingham of North America. The University of Washington (CUH) is one of twelve universities and botanical gardens in this program. Every spring new varieties, some of which are pat- ented, are sent to be planted in the evaluation beds. A small group of faculty, staff and students record data on the attributes and downfalls of these newly-introduced plants. The Miller Library has copies of the year-end reports sent to the sponsoring agency. It is a good way to learn which perennials might perform well In the Pacific Northwest area. Exciting new varieties to look for include Geranium ‘Rozanne’, Fragaria ‘Red Ruby’ and Hemerocallis 'Lady Lucille’. If interested in further information on the program, please visit the Miller Library or go to Blooms of Bressingham of North America’s website at http://www.bobna.com. Projects in Sustainable Community Landscapes: The Sustainable Community Landscapes consor- tium (SCL) recently received funding to hire a full- time coordinator for the group, Angie Cahill. At present, work is being done on a directory of participants and their areas of expertise as well as a guidebook of proper management tech- niques for SCL projects. This group is also looking for new projects, particularly those that can be performed by college classes working with K-12 students and the greater community. SCL will soon begin forming regional partner- ships of students, professionals, and other interested parties to adopt projects. Volunteers as well as donations of funding and materials /ijr URBAN HORTICULTU are always welcome. For more Information, contact Coordinator Angie Cahill at (206)543- 6828 or acahill@u.washington.edu. Linda Chalker-Scott, Director, can be reached at (206) 685-2595 or lindacs@u. washington.edu. For more details about a recent K-12 collaboration with Garfield High School, visit: http:// faculty, washington.edu/lindacs/ Naming Contest: SCL is looking for a new name and acronym that will be shorter and more manageable, yet meaningful. Prizes (a Crinodendron patagua and an Arbutus menziesii) will be awarded for the top two ideas. Send suggestions to Angie Cahill, acahill@u.washington.edu, or call (206) 543-6828. Rare Plant Research: Sarah Reichard, Research Professor at CUH, has established The Rare Plant Care and Conservation Program (Rare Care). This program is dedicated to conserving Washington’s native rare plants through methods including ex situ conservation, rare plant monitoring, reintroduction, and education. Rare Care has recently outplanted Castilleja levisecta, a rare Indian paintbrush, to the Rocky Prairie in Thurston County. These parasitic plants were grown with and without host plant associations from seeds collected in 1999 from the Rocky Prairie. A second success has been the production of seeds from a few plants of the very rare species Hackelia venusta, showy stickseed, a species that rarely produces seed. Dr. Reichard has been attempting to culture plants from stem tissue for nearly 2 years. This year she will explore how best to germinate these seeds. For more information on Rare Care and their activities see http:// depts. washington.edu/rarecare/. Graduates in Urban Horticulture: Two recent graduates are part of the public garden administration program. As part of his Master’s program, Stephen Brueggerhoff recently completed a user- preference study for the Medicinal Herb Garden (MHG) on the University of Washington campus. Preliminary results indicate that the restorative aspects of the garden are what motivates most repeat visits. This information will aid MHG management in further developing interpretive material. Thomas Smarr finished his Master’s program and presented the results of his study, an evaluation of native plant display gardens. From information collected from a nationally-distrib- uted survey, he was able to identify characteris- RE tics that define a native display garden. He also discovered trends regarding development and management of these types of gardens. Native gardens provide experiences for the public to learn about regional habitats and how to cultivate native plants. Thanks from CUH: Thanks to Garden Designer Michael French and Interim Outreach Coordinator Tom Smarr for a beautiful trio of winter containers at the entrance tc the shade garden. Each has a separate color themi - silver, purple, and variegated. Generous Gifts Bring a Rood of New Books To Librar Shelves: Library collections were greatly enriched by several recent gifts of books. Ed Poquette of Emery’s Garden gave the library more than 150 volumes from his personal library that will go into the regula and lending collections. The library was honored to receive hundreds of books from the estate of Bellevue author Roy Davidson, as well as memorial in his name. Davidson, one of the Northwest’s mo respected horticulturists, recently published the book Lewisia (Timber Press, 2000). He created a two-and-a-half acre garden in Bellevue that reflectet his wide interest in plants, and introduced many varieties, including Iris pseudacorus ‘Roy Davidson Pulmonaria ‘Roy Davidson’ and Lewisia cotyledon var. fimbriate ‘Roy Davidson’. Davidson also com- piled a fine collection of books, many of which will be available to the garden community in the Miller Library. Heronswood Hellebore Open Benefits the Miller Library: On February 17, hellebores opened their flowers ar gardeners showed up at Heronswood Nursery in Kingston, where they toured the famed display gardens and bought hellebores and companion plants, all to benefit the Miller Library. Staff and volunteers from CUH joined with Heronswood staff to put on the event. Many thanks to Dan Hinkley, Robert Jones and the Heronistas for the hard work and generosity that made the event such a succesi satisfied countless gardeners’ hellebore fever, and added many new books and journals to the shelves of the library. Arboretum news: The Arboretum held its first Professional Develop- ment Teacher Training Workshop February 6. The purpose of the workshop was to help teachers extend their Plant Growth & Development units and to get teachers acquainted with the Washington Pai Arboretum as a living classroom. We hope this will be the first of many collaborations with the Seattle School District on Teacher Training Workshops.