Enter the Entry Gardens THE PLANTS OF THE PACIFIC CONNECTIONS GARDEN, PHASE 1

B Y N IALL D UNNE AND R ANDALL H ITCHIN

his fall sees the historic grand opening borders—ranging from 80 to 180 feet wide and of Phase 1 of the Pacific Connections from 40 to 60 feet deep—are beautiful botan - T Garden, sited at the south end of ical vignettes, offering previews-in-miniature of Washington Park Arboretum. Phase 1 includes what is to come in the Garden’s five Pacific the Garden’s central welcoming meadow and Rim immersion forests. interpretive shelter and the main trail leading They are also wonderful exhibits in and of from the meadow through the future Cascadia themselves, featuring not only choice speci - forest. For plant lovers, the main draw will be mens of the temperate climate species from the series of intricately designed entry gardens Chile, China, New Zealand, Australia and surrounding the meadow. The five mixed Cascadia that will populate the forests—but

ABOVE: Iconic plants in the new entry gardens of the Pacific Connections Garden. Clockwise from upper left: New Zealand’s Phormium tenax (New Zealand flax), Cascadia’s Thuja plicata (Western red cedar), Chile’s Araucaria araucana (monkey puzzle tree) and Australia’s Eucalyptus species (gum tree). Center: China’s Ginkgo biloba (maidenhair tree).

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3 also ravishing, cultivated selections of these (Malvaceae) that grows up to 24 feet tall and species. Like the Witt Winter Garden and the produces long, glittering, deeply incised Japanese Garden, the new entry gardens can leaves that are light green. In summer, one- be thought of as focal points of pure inch wide, pink-centered fragrant flowers ornamental design in Washington Park hang in clusters among the leaves; later, they Arboretum. As they mature and fill in over develop into broadly winged, purple seed time, they will become part of the Arboretum’s pods. Several cultivars of Pittosporum rich legacy of formal horticultural display. tenuifolium also frame the garden and The following article provides a close-up separate it from the adjoining China display look at the entry gardens by highlighting on the west side of the meadow. Known as aspects of their design and profiling some of tawhiwhi by the Maori, P. tenuifolium is the fabulous plants that you will see in them. another small tree, growing up to 30 feet tall. It will also briefly look ahead to Phase 2 of The leaves are glossy and pale green and the Pacific Connections Garden project, which often have wavy margins. Clusters of small, is already getting underway. bell-shaped purple flowers appear in late spring and give off a delicious honey scent, New Zealand especially towards evening time. Let’s begin at the north end of the welcoming An explosion of Phormium (New Zealand meadow, where you will find the New Zealand flax)—both straight species and variegated entry garden, a fanciful recreation of an indige - forms—takes place in the shrub layer. Cultivars nous scrub-forest edge or clearing. This garden include P. ‘Yellow Wave,’ which grows four to places a strong emphasis on brightly colored five feet tall and boasts two and one-fourth- and contrasting foliage. Airy, broadleaved inch wide chartreuse leaves with lime-green evergreen trees form the backdrop of the margins, and P. ‘Maori Chief,’ which grows a display and provide a striking foil for the large, foot taller and produces slightly larger green strappy, colorful evergreen monocots that leaves with rosy edges. Other spiky monocots predominate in the understory. in the understory include the arresting Astelia Canopy trees include long-leaved lacebark nivicola ‘Red Gem,’ from New Zealand’s South (Hoheria sexstylosa ), a small, multi-stemmed Island. Growing one foot high, it forms tufts evergreen tree from the Hollyhock family of broad, silvery foliage, with a strong, red

The China entry garden in the Pacific Billardiera longiflora (climbing blueberry) is Connections Garden will feature the stunning an evergreen vine that will knit together trees spring blooms of Magnolia wilsonii . and shrubs in the Australia entry garden.

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Washington Park Arboretum Bulletin flush that deepens with cold weather, particu - long succession of splashy floral pageantry. larly at the base. Spikes of small, cream-colored The canopy consists of large, wonderfully flowers appear in spring followed by exquisite architectural Eucalyptus species, namely E. orange berries on female plants. glaucescens (Tingiringi gum), with its peeling Dicots are featured in the understory, white bark and narrow, sweetly scented, silvery including a number of great Veronica (Hebe ) gray-green leaves, and E. pauciflora (snow species. Veronica topiaria , for instance, is a gum), with its smooth, ghostly white trunk and wonderful accent plant. It grows up to three long, narrow, gray-green leaves. These are feet tall and forms a tight dome of half-inch- accompanied by small trees such as the densely long gray-green foliage; small spikes of bright branched Acacia pravissima (Ovens wattle), white flowers sit atop the plant in summer. which grows up to 20 feet tall, produces small, There’s also the extraordinary Veronica triangular, gray-green foliage, and dons a ochracea , which—because of its scaly, arching, spectacular coat of powder-puff, bright-yellow light-green leaves—has the appearance of a flowers in early spring. low-growing conifer. But there’s no mistaking In the shrub layer down under (pardon the the plant’s angiosperm credentials when it puts pun!), you’ll find a diverse selection of out lovely white flower spikes in summer. evergreen flowering shrubs, including the delightful Callistemon pallidus (lemon bottle - Australia brush), which grows up to 15 feet and produces Moving clockwise or eastward around the narrow bluish-green leaves. In late spring to welcoming meadow—and crossing over early summer, it flaunts one- to three-inch-long Arboretum Drive East (just pretend you’re spikes of creamy-yellow flowers. Two Grevillea traversing the Tasman Sea!)—you arrive at the species are particularly noteworthy: G. victo - entry garden for Australia. Like the New riae , which grows six feet tall and produces Zealand border, this display features an airy elliptic, silvery foliage (reminiscent of an olive), canopy and understory dominated by and G. juniperina ‘Molonglo,’ a low-growing broadleaved evergreens; however, the foliage selection with bright-green, needle-like leaves. palette is different, consisting primarily of Members of the protea family (Proteaceae), blues, grays and gray greens. The foliage Grevillea species bear fabulous, long, spidery provides a shimmering backdrop to a season- blossoms. The flowers of G. victoriae are

Cascadia’s Fuchsia magellanica features Umbellularia californica (California bay laurel) hummingbird-attracting blooms. is a small broadleaved evergreen shrub that will thrive in the Cascadia entry garden.

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5 K S L A W O K E K I M Y B G N I R E D N E R P I H S R E N T R A P R E G R E B E H T Y S E T R U O C E G A M I

The New Zealand forest is part of Phase 2 of the Pacific Connections Garden. coppery red, while those of ‘Molonglo’ are a ceous perennials in the understory add flashes subtle, soft yellow. of flower color and contrasting foliage texture Also in the understory—creeping along the to the canvas of dark green. ground or weaving through the shrubs—you’ll A column of iconic, large Pacific Northwest find the unusual Billardiera longiflora , or conifers—including Western red cedar ( Thuja climbing blueberry. Native to New South Wales plicata ) and mountain hemlock ( Tsuga and Tasmania, this evergreen vine features merten siana )—frame the garden. Also present lance-shaped, dark-green leaves and yellow, is Brewer’s weeping spruce ( Picea brewe - trumpet-shaped summer flowers. Small, apple- riana ), a Siskiyou native that develops a like, blue-violet to purple berries festoon the striking, pendulous form as it matures. vine in fall. Interweaving between the conifers are broadleaved evergreens such as Umbellularia Cascadia californica , the California bay laurel, with its On the south end of the welcoming meadow long, narrow, yellow-green glossy leaves is the Cascadia entry garden—a lush, dense, (which can be used in cooking as a substi - dark-green forest planting. The canopy is tute for sweet bay). Three cultivars of the vine strongly slanted towards coniferous evergreen maple ( Acer circinatum ) are planted at the trees, reflecting the prominence and diversity head of the trail that bisects the entry garden of these plants in our native flora. Small and leads to what will eventually become the broadleaved trees, showy shrubs and herba - Cascadia forest. This small maple has broad,

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Washington Park Arboretum Bulletin palmately lobed leaves that turn a gorgeous the first new accession into the Pacific orange-tinged red in autumn. Connections Garden—are certainly present, Cultivars of native mahonia ( Berberis but play second fiddle to the broadleaved species) and red flowering currant ( Ribes Chilean fire tree ( Embothrium coccineum ), sanguineum ) fill the shrub layer and provide Chilean lantern tree ( Crinodendron hookeri - impressive floral fireworks from late winter to anum ) and boxleaf azara ( Azara lanceolata ). early spring. Six cultivars of the flowering The dazzling Chilean fire tree has been currant have been planted, including white celebrated elsewhere in these pages (see (‘White Icicle’), pink (‘Strybing Pink’) and red “Immerse Yourself in a Chilean Forest,” by (‘Pulborough Scarlet’) selections. Bolstering Sarah Reichard; “Bulletin,” Winter 2008). A this early season flower extravaganza is Garrya lesser-known beauty is the Chilean lantern x issaquahensis ‘Pat Ballard,’ a showy selec - tree, a small evergreen growing up to 15 feet tion of the hybrid silk tassel (a cross between tall and producing narrow, glossy, sharply G. elliptica and G. fremontii ). This tall shrub toothed dark-green leaves. In late spring, produces elliptical, wavy-edged, dark-green large, pendulous scarlet flowers hang from its foliage and stunning 12-inch mauve catkins, branches like tasty-looking cherries, or which hang from the branch tips like icicles beautiful painted lanterns. Boxleaf azara is in wintertime. Later on in spring, the beautiful somewhat better known. It features small, Western azalea ( Rhododendron occidentale )— shiny, paddle-like dark-green leaves neatly a large deciduous shrub, growing up to 15 feet arranged on stiff, herringbone-patterned tall—will chime in with bright clusters of branches. In winter, abundant, fluffy, fragrant, two-inch, white flowers splashed with apetalous yellow flowers are held in clusters pink and/or yellow. in the leaf axils and emit a strong fragrance Snaking through the foreground of the reminiscent of sugar cookies, vanilla and Cascadia entry garden is a wet swale, which chocolate. Yum! has been planted with riparian and wetland Let your gaze descend into the understory species such as native Juncus and Carex . Here and you’ll find the shrub layer fizzing with also, you’ll find specimens of the spectacular fabulous cultivars of Fuchsia magellanica , umbrella plant ( Darmera peltata ), which including yellow-leaved and variegated forms. produces one- to two-foot-wide umbrella-like Showy fuchsia flowers bloom profusely from leaves on two- to six-foot stalks and bears late spring to first frost and range in color from round clusters of bright-pink flowers on tall the standard red and violet to soft pinks and spikes in spring. whites. Other delights in the shrub layer include Eucryphia glutinosa ‘Nana,’ which grows up to Chile three feet tall and features handsome, toothed Wedged between Cascadia and China at the oval leaves. In late summer, the plant is covered southwestern tip of the welcoming meadow is with chalice-shaped white flowers, each bearing the Chile entry garden. Like Cascadia, this a dense tuft of stamens. Also, look for the display features a lush green forest canopy unusual Hydrangea serratifolia , a climbing with a brightly contrasting shrub layer; but it evergreen hydrangea that uses suction pads to is distinguished from the latter by a predom - hoist itself into the canopy and produces sprays inance of broadleaved evergreens (rather than of bright, white flowers in summer. conifers) in the canopy layer. Conifer speci - And how could we neglect to mention mens, such as a handsome plum pine Ugni molinae —which, in spite of its less-than- (Podocarpus salignus ) and a now-famous promising generic name, is a real showstopper! monkey puzzle tree ( Araucaria araucana )— Commonly known as the Chilean guava, this

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7 shrub grows up to six feet tall and produces In the forefront of the garden, you’ll find attractive, glossy, bronze-tinted leaves. Pendant, such treats as Paeonia suffruticosa ssp. rockii , urn-shaped, cream-colored flowers hang probably the most sought after tree peony of from the leaf axils in mid-to late spring and all time. In early summer, it produces jaw- develop into lovely, small, maroon berries, dropping, four-inch-wide, frilly, white-petaled which taste—as advertised—like little guavas. flowers with maroon and yellow centers. There’s Yum yum! also Rhododendron sinogrande , which boasts the largest leaves of any rhodie—up to a meter China long!—and large trusses of white to pale-yellow, Continuing clockwise around the meadow, late-spring blossoms. And the Chinese chain you arrive at the China entry garden, which fern, Woodwardia unigemmata —a lovely plant includes the interpretive shelter (see “The New with rose-copper-colored new fronds. The list Pacific Garden Interpretive Shelter,” by of botanical beauties goes on. Elizabeth Loudon; “Bulletin,” Spring 2008). In comparison to the other four displays, this one Pacific Connections, Phase 2 looks a lot more like a traditional “garden” Now that Phase 1 of the Garden is complete, than a naturalistic recreation of a particular the Arboretum is moving ahead with Phase 2 native vegetation type. That’s because the of the project, which includes the designing plants were sampled widely from across China and planting of the Cascadia and New Zealand and chosen mainly for their cultural impor - immersion forests, and the restoration of the tance—their significance as culinary, medicinal Hohmdahl rockery. The rockery, located at the and ornamental crops. south junction of Arboretum Drive East and Anchor plants include the dove tree Lake Washington Boulevard, will be planted (Davidia involucrata ‘Sonoma’), with its heart- with eye-catching Chilean species and signal shaped, vivid-green leaves and large, to motorists and passersby that something new pure-white flower bracts, which hang in rows and wonderful is afoot in the Arboretum. beneath the branches in spring and flutter like Seattle Parks and Recreation and the white doves when the wind kicks up. They University of Washington Botanic Gardens also include ginkgo ( Ginkgo biloba )—with its have hired the Seattle-based Berger Partnership distinctive fan-shaped leaves and fleshy, yellow to create the designs for Phase 2. As this article edible seeds—and Wilson magnolia ( Magnolia goes to press, Berger has already created some wilsonii ), famed for its large, pendulous, sweet- spectacular concept drawings for the Cascadia smelling, pink spring flowers. Both species and New Zealand forests. The firm will also have a long history of use in the traditional help calculate the cost of materials and mainte - Chinese pharmacopeia. nance for the project so that the Arboretum A grove of sweet-shoot bamboo Foundation can fine-tune its funding-raising (Phyllostachys dulcis ) compartmentalizes the campaign and help bring the next phase of garden from the New Zealand display to the this exciting endeavor to fruition.
north. This timber bamboo produces marvelous, tall (up to 40 feet), three-inch-wide, sinuous canes and masses of large, drooping, NIALL DUNNE is communications manager at pale-green leaves. As the common name the Arboretum Foundation and a member of suggests, the young shoots are very sweet the “Bulletin” editorial board. RANDALL tasting and can be eaten raw. (Other edible HITCHIN is the plant collections manager for bamboos need to be parboiled to remove the University of Washington Botanic Gardens bitterness prior to consumption.) and a botanical editor for the “Bulletin.”

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Washington Park Arboretum Bulletin