We made a trip to Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens yesterday. It had been a few months since our last visit, and we were interested in seeing what new treasures had unfolded. This time, we left Duchess at home in the comfort of Jumbo. She goes with us nearly everywhere, but based on our past visits to the arboretum with her, we decided that it would be more enjoyable for us without her tugging every which way. We'll make it up to her later!
One of the first things that caught our eyes was this lovely Vibernum...
We walked through the Conifer Garden and on to the Woodland Garden and Fernery.
This is so beautiful, but it didn't have an identification sign -is it an azalea?
We didn't bend down far enough to find out if this Hellebore was truly stinking.
on to the Japanese Maple Grove...
A specimen of Acer palmatum 'Villa Taranto' with it's finely cut leaves.
"Moon Fire"
Lilac
On our way to the Northwest Demonstration Garden we passed this Windmill Palm...
and more ferns...
'Enzo Moon' by Daniel Michael
Clouds of bloom cover Golden Raindrops Crabapple. This made me miss the crabapple tree we had in our yard in Castle Rock, Colorado. I made some delicious crabapple jelly one summer. It was quite the tedious task, but well worth it when slathered on waffles on a Sunday morning.
Rugosa Roses
I have to admit that I'm not sure what this is, but it's gorgeous and full of buds!
Harry Lauder's Walking Stick, a contorted filbert.
Iris
Garrya elliptica, or Silk Tassel shrub, an uncommon northwest native evergreen shrub.
Blue Camas flower; bulbs of this plant were an important part of Native American diet.
More Native Iris
Goat's Beard
We'll have to see what this turns out to be on our next visit.
Shaded rock stairs planted with a variety of Hostas connect the Northwest Native Trail
to the Viewing Mound .
Viewing Mound
'Fibonacci' by Pam Hom
Apparently this is a fountain, but it must be too early in the season for the water to be flowing.
Larry enjoying the view from the Viewing Mound.
More Goat's Beard
The pathway with the pavilion in the background.
Buds on the Hydraengea
'Circle of Life' steel and hand-fused glass sculpture by Shirley Erickson.
I first visited the arboretum about fifteen years ago, and I know this strange plant was there then. It looks like something out of a science fiction movie...It wasn't labeled, so I no idea what it was, although there is a small ornamental rhubarb nearby which is labeled, so we thought this strange thing might be one as well. I looked it up online, and found that it is indeed a variety of ornamental rhubarb.
Now back through The Arboretum’s signature entrance columns to our car.We had worked up an appetite, so a visit to Taco Time was in order! After my usual pinto bean taco salad and a with ranch dressing, and a couple of crisp bean tacos for Larry, it was back home to Jumbo and some play time with the Duchess. It was a good day.
