Issei Contributions to Pacific Northwest Horticulture: Stories for Asian American Native Hawai'ian Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Stories for Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month
In celebration of May’s AANHPI Heritage Month, Garden Guide Corinne Kennedy shares stories of Issei individuals and their families whose horticulturally-related businesses—including landscaping companies, plant nurseries, and greenhouses—made significant contributions to Pacific Northwest horticulture, garden design and public parks.
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Rhododendron ‘Unique’ Has Lovely Ivory White Spring Flowers
The Seattle Japanese contains many “true” rhododendrons as well as azaleas (shrubs also in the genus Rhododendron). One of them is Rhododendron ‘Unique’, which has long been popular in the Pacific Northwest. It has very attractive evergreen foliage and charming ivory white flowers that open from pale salmon-pink buds.
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New Flowering Cherries Planted in the Restored Meadow
Last month, the garden crew from Seattle Parks and Recreation completed the final phase of the meadow restoration project in the Japanese Garden. This involved the planting of 11 beautiful new flowering cherry trees in the upper section of the meadow, which overlooks the Moon Viewing Platform by the Garden’s pond.
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Fall-Blooming ‘Setsugekka’ and ‘Kanjiro’ Camellias Are Recent Additions to the Garden
Three young sasanqua camellias have been planted in the the northeast corner of the Garden, replacing several large rhododendrons that had reached the end of their lifespans. Young specimens of ‘Setsugekka’ and ‘Kanjiro’, they may not bloom for several years.
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Attractive in All Seasons: Mugo Pine
ATTRACTIVE IN ALL SEASONS: MUGO PINE
Pinus mugo is a commonly available but often undervalued pine species. More than 20 plants grace the Seattle Japanese Garden, most planted near the Garden’s central pond. Learn More at seattlejapanesegarden.org
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Japanese Stewartia: Camellia-like Flowers in Early Summer and Glowing Fall Color
IN BLOOM: STEWARTIA PSEUDOCAMELLIA
Japanese stewartia is a lovely small deciduous tree that’s attractive in all seasons. Its delicate, early summer flowers resemble those of its close relative, Camellia.
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Pittosporum tobira: Sweetly Fragrant Spring Flowers and Glossy Green Foliage
LITTLE-KNOWN EVERGREEN SHRUBS: PITTOSPORUM TOBIRA
Japanese pittosporum is an attractive, very adaptable broadleaf evergreen shrub with sweetly fragrant, late spring flowers and glossy, rounded, deep green foliage.
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What is Doghobble & Why is it Planted in the Seattle Japanese Garden?
LITTLE-KNOWN EVERGREEN SHRUBS: LEUCOTHOE FONTANESIANA and LEUCOTHOE KEISKEI BURNING LOVE
Doghobble is the quirky common name of Leucothoe, an attractive but little-known broadleaf evergreen shrub. This is a story about the two Leucothoe species planted in the Seattle Japanese Garden—and how the name “doghobble” came to be.
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