Annual Meeting is Almost Here--Will We See You There?

The Annual Meeting is just around the corner. We've been making our lists and checking them twice to be sure we have everything covered to help make this a fun night.

Lynda Mapes, author of The Trees Are Speaking and an award-winning science writer, will be speaking, as will Trevor Cameron. Trevor will be showing us what's new on the plant scene for 2026, so be sure to bring pen and paper to make a note of plants to shop for once the weather warms up. Eileen promises to keep the business part of the meeting brief.

So--as Cisco would say, "Come on, all you gardening cats and gators--" it's time to make your reservations. Where else can you get a three-course meal (yes, there will be cake), an open bar, great company, interesting speakers talking about plants, door prizes, and a primrose to take home for just $30? The dinner menu is vegetarian, vegan, and carnivore friendly and can be found by clicking on the reservation link below.

A Shout Out to Our February Volunteers!

Our last work party in February was a huge success. Thanks to everyone who came and helped us accomplish a lot of miscellaneous projects in just two hours, including relocating the "Guardian Heads," installing a new book walk, and adding a boot scraper on the ramp into the Classroom Building. Evergreens got pruned, gardens got raked, weeds got pulled--and the rain held off until we were all ready to call it a day.

Special thanks to Sam and Tanis for the heavy lifting necessary for relocating the "Guardian Heads" and to Lee and Fred for all the pruning in the Conifer Garden! Photos below of just a few of Saturday's volunteers.

Thanks to the Plant Nerds help in January followed by two well-attended work parties in February, we keep hearing compliments on how good the Arboretum is looking. And it is. We're so pleased you noticed!

Plant Sale Work Parties Begin March 12th:

Join us for a volunteer activity that is educational and fun

Plant sale work party days will resume on Thursday, March 12th from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and continue weekly in preparation for the June plant sale, our largest fundraiser. From dividing perennials to planting seasonal containers, there are lots of opportunities to learn and have fun. Homemade treats are provided as well. 

There also ways to help if you cannot join us on Thursdays. We are in need of containers to be planted including ceramic, terracotta or decorative plastic as well as plants from your garden. Potted donation plants need to be in containers without logos or dropped off to be planted on Thursday mornings or other arboretum workdays. Special arrangements can be made by contacting Marylou Hart at 425-345-6691.

Join Us for Three Classes in March: Evergreen Perennials, Conifer Tree Talk, and Mason Bee Class & Bee Hotel Installation

Saturday, March 14: Lee Borgatta's popular Perennial Path returns with a walk and talk through the Master Gardener Border focusing on evergreen perennials.

Sunday, March 15: Join Master Gardener and Tree Steward Lee Borgatta and Arborist and Urban Forester Libbie Soden for the first of a series of Tree Talks in the Arboretum. Lee and Libbie will focus on selected conifers throughout the Arboretum.

Saturday, March 21: Master Gardener Jeff Austin will teach you what you need to know to establish a mason bee colony in your backyard, keep it healthy, and ensure that the bees return year after year to pollinize our earliest bloomers.

Classes are from noon to 1 p.m. and are free to the public. Dress for the weather.

We Asked, You Responded: Docent Recruiting Event a Success

Tuesday marked our first docent recruiting effort since before COVID. As former docents retired from leading tours, our list was getting low. A call to members and volunteers to attend an information session on docenting (is that even a word?) was attended by 12 people interested in learning whether being a docent was for them.

A brief introduction to the rewards and expectations of being a docent, attendees enjoyed lunch followed by a tour of the gardens led by five experienced docents. Although some attendees are taking a few days to decide whether to participate, we have at least five people who said yes. We call that a win.

And if you're wondering what the rewards of being a docent are, here are a few:

• Sharing your appreciation of the Arboretum
• Meeting new people
• Having amusing stories to tell your friends--especially if you lead children's tours
• Spreading the word about all the Arboretum offers

Libbie Soden, curator of the Nativar Garden, talks about the highlights of the garden.

Hap Wertheimer encouraged future docents to create their own nature bracelets, a popular activity for children's tours.

Two bees on an early blooming camellia in the Maple Grove.

Exciting Amenity Added to the Classroom Ramp

We know that sometimes your boots get muddy when you're working in the Arboretum. And then you track that mud into the Classroom Building or into your car. Now we have a solution for that problem. A boot brush has been added to the bottom of the ramp going up to the classroom. Are you excited? Well, maybe not, but we promise it will come in handy.

"Isn't Nature Wonderful?"

This was a favorite saying of board member Andy Sudkamp, and it is engraved on the sculpture purchased in his memory by the Arboretum board. I thought of when looking at these daffodils blooming in the gravel. We planted the bulbs a few years ago, and they were dormant when we had the gravel pathway through the Woodland Garden to the main paved path redone. Which meant we forgot to relocate them ahead of the path work. But, here they are, blooming away for our spring enjoyment.

Join the Arboretum Now. We Need You More Than Ever!