Arthur Lee Jacobson’s garden welcomes all visitors Sunday, September 7th from 11 til 7. Next door, urban goats will munch on an overgrown yard. Free food & drink. The place is on E Blaine, a bit uphill from 22nd, by bamboo & fire hydrant. The address (invisible) would read 2216. You can also enter 2215 E Howe, then descend 52 stairs. The garden features the state’s tallest eucalyptus tree: over 107 feet. Splendid to behold. More details are at: http://www.arthurleej.com/opengarden20.html
A Honeysuckle Summer
As the rain washes the sun away you may want to take a moment more to enjoy summer. This week’s post on Union Bay Watch includes a couple of birds that may be new to you. Plus an interesting review of a native plant that attracts hummingbirds and appears to have been used, in times past, to cure just about every ailment under the sun. Learn more at: Union Bay Watch.
Rare ‘Horinji’ Cherry Tree topples at Montlake Community Center
On Saturday, July 26th, Seattle lost one of its rare Japanese Flowering Cherry trees. A thirty foot tall ‘Horinji’ tree, likely dating from the 1940s, fell over into an adjacent Yoshino cherry tree near the Montlake Community Center tennis courts. To the east still stand two other ‘Kwanzan’ cherry trees, and more of Yoshino. Both these latter kinds are very common in contrast to ‘Horinji’.
This photo shows how the flowers appeared in mid-April (the first photo above shows rot at the tree base). Tree root rots are exacerbated by such factors as mulch applied too heavily at tree bases, and overwatering. Dry-site trees in general live longer than trees in wet places.
The ‘Horinji’ tree is not grafted, being unlike most cherry trees sold these days. Own-root Japanese Flowering Cherry trees live longer than those that are grafted on European rootstocks. It seems that somehow a delayed graft incompatibility sets in, becoming—in effect—the nursery industry’s version of planned obsolescence.
Since the fallen ‘Horinji’ tree is not dead, people can attempt to root twig cuttings from it, before the Park workers feed it into a chipper. Since few cuttings will root, many should be tried. ‘Horinji’ is no longer available at nurseries, so if people desire one they must do their own propagation.
‘Horinji’ is the name of an ancient Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan.
Predator or Prey
This week’s post covers a half a dozen birds of prey photographed around Union Bay. One of them is this young Barred Owl from the Arboretum. The owl shows us that it has learned find its own food. Actually, if you look closely at the photo above you can see a tiny bit of proof. Can you guess which other predators were photographed? To see more about who is eating and what is on the menu please visit Union Bay Watch.
Locations Announced for Sunday’s Montlake Garden Tour
ANNUAL MONTLAKE GARDEN TOUR
Featuring six private gardens and three points of interest.
Sponsored by the Montlake Community Club
SUNDAY, JUNE 22nd
1:00pm – 4:00pm
A free, self-guided tour makes it convenient to start where you want.
Click the image below for a full program and map.
Featured Gardens & Points of Interest
2421 East Roanoke Street
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Montlake Children’s Gardens
2409 22nd Avenue East
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2304 East Lynn Street
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Montlake Gateway Parks
SE/SW corners of 24th & Boyer Ave E.
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1941 Boyer Avenue East
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2215 East Howe Street
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2012 19th Avenue East
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1911 East Eaton Place
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Interlaken Park Designated Wildlife Habitat – Vintage Gardenscape *
21st Avenue East Street End
*No entry – Ogle through wrought iron fence
New Life in Interlaken
Elvis and Priscilla have new young that are rapidly growing and getting ready to leave the nest. These young woodpeckers are a lot less aggressive than the crows and better looking as well. Inspect the photos, meet your new neighbors and learn their names as well on:
Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the city!
Larry
Duckling Delight
This morning near Elderberry Island a female mallard was teaching her three ducklings how to survive in the wild world of Union Bay. Until they learn to fly Union Bay is their whole world and learning quickly is critical to their survival. See their progress on Union Bay Watch.
Priscilla’s in the Park | 520 Eagle Update
Priscilla (the mate of Elvis) is out of the nest and feeding in the Arboretum. These are my first photos of her in over two months as she has been in nesting mode. She and Eva (the 520 eagle) have created a couple of birding mysteries. Read more about them on Union Bay Watch.
Larry
Eaglet Watch | May Flowers
This week’s post is about waiting for the eaglets to arrive and identifying native flowers while we wait. If you are up for the challenge take a look on Union Bay Watch.
Larry
Montlake Tree Elf Holds Open Garden & Offers May Tours
Arthur Lee Jacobson, tree elf, plant expert, arborist, gardener, author, teacher, and life-long Montlake resident/treasure shared his love of plants with visitors to his Open Garden last Sunday.
His lush multi-level garden on Blaine welcomed neighbors for a peek at more than 500 kinds of plants from towering trees to exotics to weeds. The plants are amazing, but Arthur is the real show. Ask him a question about a plant and he will be off on a delightful ramble about where it comes from, how tall it grows, what nutrients it needs, what it smells and tastes like. Lately, it seems Arthur’s become really interested in the tasting part. He can (and will) tell you how to cook, not just your ordinary vegetable parts, but all the things you usually take to the compost bin. He says, “Why not try cooking radish greens, carrot tops, or sweet potato leaves? They’re tasty and good for you too.” Arthur says a lot more too, but you’ve got to be there for the full effect.
And you CAN get the full effect even if you missed the Open Garden. You’ve got some chances to learn from this elfin plant expert in the next couple weeks. Jacobson has scheduled to lead three Seattle Tree Tours in early May.
Sunday, May 4th in Volunteer Park, 10:00 to noon
Sunday, May 11 at Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park, 2:00-3:30
Saturday, May 17, Washington Park Arboretum, 3:00-5:00
Group size is limited; Cost $10. For information or to register, email alj@consultant.com or phone 206-328-8733. Check out the website www.ArthurLeeJ.com to order books on wild plants and trees or read tons of articles on all kinds of plant topics. Watch for the next Open Garden later in the summer too. Blaine Street doesn’t just have big bunnies and the Halloween House. It has a full-sized tree elf too!
