The Arboretum Bulletin

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The Arboretum Bulletin

Vol. I. No. 10. Seattle, Washington August, 1938

JOIN THE ARBORETUM

Now that you have seen a copy of our bulletin and
have accepted, we hope, our invitation to visit the Arbo-
retum, may we offer you an opportunity to extend your
acquaintance with the University of Washington Arboretum.

If you become a member of the institution, the bulletin
will be mailed you without extra charge and you will
receive on occasions a share in the distribution ol surplus
plant material as well as other privileges.

You know that the funds which make it possible for the
Arboretum to create and present to the public fine horti-
cultural displays, to issue scientific and popular periodicals
and carry on scientific work are derived in a’ large part
from annual memberships and gifts. Thus a contribution
which accords benefits to the giver becomes an important
share in a worthy public interest.

We trust we may have the privilege of welcoming you
as a member of the Arboretum. For your convenience we
are enclosing an application blank.

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WOMEN OF FEDERATED GARDEN CLUBS
HONOR THE ARBORETUM

With the convention of the Pacific Coast Region of Fed-
erated Garden Clubs in Seattle July 29 and 30, it was only
fitting that they should ask to make a planting as a
memorial in the University of Washington’s new Arboretum.
The location chosen for the planting is one of the most
strategic of the many beautiful natural settings in the area.
On a triangular spot between an intersection of two boule-
vards, showing to advantage from both sides, stands a fairy-
tale gate-house of grey moss-covered stones, round as the
tower of an old moat bridge and crowned at its turret
with a bronze weather vane. It was to create an ideal
setting for this gate house that the committee chose five
plants of Juniperus Pfitzeriana, scaling the effect into that

of an old ghostly forest surrounding a castle. Then to
bring into the scene the resurrection of springtime they
sifted ten lovely Prunus Triloba into the planting with
their bronzy foliage and dainty pink blossoms, and scattered
under their spreading branches the delicate blooms of
twenty-four Ghent hybrids of the Azalea Mollis. To flutter
over the eaves like a flock of white pigeons will be the
sweetly fragrant blossoms of five Magnolia Soulangeana,
and to furnish the background six Mahonia Aquifolium
will spread their glossy leaves and purple fruits. Two
Juniperus C'uinensis Semins were chosen for their ^norled
shapes as the dwarfs were chosen to bring out the fragile
beauty of Snow White, and Snow White in this planting
will be one magnificent plant of Rhododendron Maximum,
spreading her white skirts in her beauty surrounded by
her court.

This picturesque planting was chosen to honor the first
two directors of the region, Mrs. Leonard B. Slosson of
Los Angeles, California, and Mrs. Peter Gorpstein of
Phoenix, Arizona, who have given so much time toward
making the Pacific Coast Region one of the most active in
the National Council of Federated Garden Clubs.

Mrs. L. Houston Reusch, Junior Past President of the
Washington State Federation and Bird Chairman of the
National Council, made the presentation to President Lee
Paul Seig of the University of Washington.

ARBORETUM EXHIBITS AT SEATTLE
GARDEN CLUB SHOW

The Seattle Garden Club Flower Show at the home of
Mrs. Harry Fargo Ostrander had many outstanding exhibits
and none drew more attention than the exh i bit of native
plants of Washington as exhibited by the Arboretum under
the direction of Mrs. First Johnson.

A large map of the state, colored into different botanical
areas, formed the background, and planted among the

rocks in ihe foreground were representative plants of the
areas and numbered many of the rarer alpines of the state
that have been collected by the Arboretum and are under
propagation in the nursery.

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ALPINES FOR THE ARBORETUM

By Donald McClure
Regional Vice-Chairman of the American
Rock Garden Society

During the past months a great flood of information has
been released in regard to the University of Washington
Arboretum. Much has been said of the rhododendrons, of
Mr. Herbert Ihrig’s enthusiastic work, Mr. Endre Ostho’s
skillful propagating of the Dexter and the Tenny collec-
tions. Much has been said also of azaleas, and Azalea Way,
of the flowering cherries, and of the countless other inter-
esting denizens of the area. However, there has been a
scarcity of comment relative to the Arboretum rock garden
and the wealth of material available for planting purposes.

Possibly such an oversight is quite natural. Conceivably,
it may be necessary for one to make a personal visit to
see the countless rows of alpine plants in perfect health
and full vigor. Still conceivably, one must chat with Fred
Leissler, feel the depth of his enthusiasm and love for his
work, hear the stories of his collecting trips. Maybe one
must do all these things before he is able to appreciate
the potentialities of the Arboretum rock garden. Possibly
this may be, for the day has not yet come when the alpines
can blaze out in all their glory, speaking for themselves.

But this is all conjecture, and quite beside the point,
for actually, in the Arboretum nursery, there lives healthy
and happy a goodly company of alpine gems. In the
sandy soil, carefully coaxed by tbe cultural skill and pa-
tience of Mr. Leissler, the Lewisias luxuriate. Here are
plants typical of the great Northwest mountains, symbolic
of the beauty of the Washington landscape, prophetic of the
richness of horticultural treasure to be found in native
material. Unique is the rock gardener who has not tried
to grow them, fortunate is the one who has not been scorn-
fully rebuffed, and, glory be, they like the Arboretum.

Then, too, one really can’t overlook the pentstemons,
rough and ready, willing and able, generally prepared to
do yeoman duty in the garden. Here their numbers are a
legion, and, to make things more interesting, variations
and breaks seem to be cropping up in specimen groups,
all the members of which are presumably traceable to the
same destination in a botanic key. This observation spot-
lights directly the manner in which the Arboretum may
serve the field of plant taxonomy, refining and augmenting
lists of species through painstaking observation and cult i
vation. But that is yet another story.

For the benefit of the connoisseur, there is a liberal
assortment of jewel plants, the “hard-to-get” and the
“touch-me-nots”. Phyllodoce Hypnoides gives no evidence of

regret at its enforced absence from a Stevens Pass cliff,
making numerous efficient-looking growths of scaly green
heather foliage. Near it dwells quite complacently an
Alaskan phyllodoce, apparently similar to the native em-
petriformes, waiting for the passage of time and the delib-
eration of botanists to make an honest plant of it by giving
it a name. Eritrichium has been collected and is said to
hide shyly somewhere about the premises, while countless
other treasures peer up from every frame, all giving mute
testimony of their willingness to aid in fulfilling the dream
of the future.

So ends a brief snapshot. To scramble terminology, it
may be under-exposed, but it certainly is not overdone. Its
aim is to create interest. If it fails, the loss is that of the
reader, the writer got more than his share through personal
contact.

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DELPHINIUMS AND HOW TO GROW THEM

By James McConahey

“Merrie” England, as we all know, is a land of beautiful
flowers and very capable, experienced gardeners. In the
past many of our finest plants have been imported from
there, and we still import a number of choice varieties.
But we now have many capable gardeners in the United
States, and have they not had sufficient experience success-
fully to cope with our English cousins in many lines?

I have been interested in delphiniums for several years,
have raised plants from seed purchased from both English
and American growers, have visited some of our American
growers, and have seen many of the prize-winning varieties
introduced by the leading English hybridizers and grown
in the Puget Sound country from cuttings imported directly
from the producers. But there have been wonderful im-
provements in these flowers during the last few years, and
wanting more first-hand information as to what has been
accomplished by our Pacific Coast hybridizers, I decided
to visit some of them this summer.

I first visited Mr. Charles F. Barber, of Troutdale, Ore-
gon, whom I have had the privilege of knowing intimately
for several years. He has specialized in raising delphiniums
for over twenty-five years, and is the producer of the world-
famous Hoodacres Whites, the original really satisfactory
white hybrid delphinium. He has also produced many other
choice plants with flowers varying from light mauve to
dark purple and blue, and at the time of my visit had
some beautiful medium blue seifs, a color much sought
after.

I next visited Vetterle and Reinelt, at Capitola, Califor-
nia, and found Mr. Reinelt to be a very pleasant, courteous
gentleman, who has made a thorough study of hybridizing
and had many years of valuable experience both in this
country and in Europe. There I saw thousands of delphin-
ium plants, the different colors each in separate plots of
ground. Perfectly marvelous whites, strong, healthy plants

with large, clear white flowers on long spikes; light pink-
lavenders with a silvery sheen; blue seifs in three shades,
some with white and others with dark bees, and gorgeous
dark purples. The plants all have good-sized florets of clear,
bright colors well placed on long, well-shaped spikes.

In going through their glass and lath houses, which cover
many acres, I saw the largest and most beautiful tuberous
begonias and gloxinias that I have ever seen. Mr. Reinelt
specializes in delphiniums and the Vetterle brothers in
tuberous begonias and gloxinias.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Reinelt, a very
charming lady, intensely interested in his work, and a
real helper.

Having been familiar with Mr. Barber’s work for years,
and now seeing the results of Mr. Reinelt’s work and com-
paring same with the English importations which I have
seen, I am confident our American hybridizers are doing
just as good a job, if not in some ways a better job, with
delphiniums than our English cousins.

GROWING PLANTS FROM SEED

Delphiniums can easily he grown from seed by following
a few simple instructions. But fine flowers cannot he
secured from poor seed, so purchase only good seed from
reliable growers. Seed should he fresh and sown soon
after harvesting, preferably in July or August. For best
results, sow in flats in a mixture of about two parts coarse
sand, one part leaf-mold and one part loam, or two-thirds
coarse leaf-mold and one-third loam, cover only slightly
with the same mixture, then cover with burlap and wet
thoroughly. Never let the flats get dry, as that is fatal.
Keep in fairly dark place until the plants begin to appear,
which will he in about ten days, then immediately remove
the burlap and give them more light, hut keep shaded and
moist. When second leaves are developed prick into flats
about three inches apart in a mixture of about two-thirds
sandy loam and one-third leaf-mold. Keep shaded for two
or th ree weeks, then gradually give more light and finally
harden off in full sunlight. In this climate it is best to
keep the flats over winter in a cold frame or other protected
outdoor location, and as soon as they become large enough
in the early spring, plant them in the permanent location
about three feet apart.

A FAST GROWING YOUNGSTER

The University of Washington Arboretum was begun
three years ago and because of its natural beauties and
advantages has assumed the proportions of importance in
the LTnited States. The 260 acres of wooded slopes leading
down to the marshy edges of fresh water Lake Washington
and just across from the University campus give it an
important location in the city of Seattle landscape, and
in the mild climate of the Northwest Pacific Coast area,
it has an important place in the botanical rating of the
temperate zones of the world.

RUSSELL’S FINE LUPINES

“Join the Arboretum and get your package of seeds — ”

“Something new in lupines has suddenly burst upon the
world. It is a striking demonstration of what improvements
can he accomplished by concentrated attention to an ordi-
nary, likeable enough plant commonly grown in gardens,
and hitherto neglected,” says Leonard Barron in The
Flower Grower.

As usual it is an Englishman who has contributed this
new beauty to our gardens, George Russell, who has
devoted twenty years of his life to the development of
improved varieties of our favorites.

The blues and whites of the common lupines are familiar
to every gardener, hut it was this young man of sixty who
had little theoretical knowledge, hut had learned a great
deal from a keen study of nature, who decided to devote
the rest of his life to a definite object. Some of these old-
fashioned blue and white lupines exhibited at York Gala
in 1911 fired his imagination.

He made a start by buying plants of every known variety,
and writing to all corners of the world for seed. When
they flowered, he must have felt that long life was prom-
ised, or he would never have had the courage to carry on
with such unpromising material.

A start had to he made somewhere, and he decided to
eliminate all hut one or two of the better types, and so
he continued, year after year, feeling he was making
progress, but, more often than not, realizing he would he
an old man before his dreams came true.

The least sensitive observer of this new strain of lupines
will surely he conscious of the great boon which Russell’s
devotion and perseverance has bestowed upon the world.
In almost any walk of life — art, literature, industry — an
equally notable achievement would have brought public
recognition and honors, but Russell, now well over 80 years
of age, proud of a task well done, is still the old gardener
of York who does a job here and there where needed.

Russell’s lupines have been growing in our Arboretum
nursery for the past year, and after saving enough seed
for next year’s planting, the director has turned over to
the Foundation the surplus for distribution among Arbo-
retum members. If you are not a member of the Founda-
tion, fill out the enclosed blank and send it in to the
Arboretum Foundation, 4420 White Building, Seattle, Wash-
ington, and you will he mailed a membership card and a
package containing a few of these choice seeds.

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ARBORETUM ON THE AIR

Clifton Pease, radio broadcaster for the Associated Oil
Company, who has been giving so much of his time to the
introductions of interesting activities of the state of Wash-
ington, is giving a concentrated description of the Univer-
sity of Washington Arboretum on his broadcast August 2nd
at 6:45 over KIRO.

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