Ambitious Plants – Leycesteria formosa

Leycesteria formosa – Himalayan Honeysuckle Not a blackberry, but from the same area and all the way over to Taiwan which used to be called Formosa. This 6’ shrub with arching branches puts out pendants of white flowers that are followed by large dark colored glossy fruits. The seeds from the lovely juicy fruits [...]

2022-12-05T10:41:37-08:00December 5th, 2022|

Ambitious Plants – Nandina domestica

Nandina domestica – Heavenly Bamboo A native to Japan and China, Nandina has been planted in private and public spaces through out the U.S. Adaptable to both sun and shade, usually to 5’ (smaller cultivars abound), good fall colors if exposed to cold weather, white flower heads, and clusters of red fruits. These fruits [...]

2022-12-05T10:41:26-08:00December 5th, 2022|

Meet Our New Executive Director, JP Sauerlender!

Meet JP! We are thrilled to introduce you to our new Executive Director, JP Sauerlender! JP grew up in the Pacific Northwest and is passionate about leveraging gardens to improve human health and facilitate learning. He is excited to join the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden team where he plans to help grow and develop this [...]

2022-09-07T14:11:07-07:00September 7th, 2022|

Plants and their People pt.2 – Tolmiea menziesii (now Micranthes tolmiei)

Tolmiea menziesii (now Micranthes tolmiei) An evergreen herbaceous native also brought into cultivation by Archibald Menzies. William Fraser Tolmie was from Scotland and worked for Hudson’s Bay Co as a surgeon and botanist who also traded in furs and politics. Tolmie was the commander at Fort Nisqually from 1843- 1859 before moving up to [...]

2022-07-08T15:29:02-07:00July 8th, 2022|

Plants and their People pt.2 – Mahonia nervosa

Mahonia nervosa Low/Cascade Oregon Grape. Typically below 2’ in height, this handsome shrub offers bright yellow flowers in Spring followed by blue-black fruits in late summer. The fruits are edible but tart, better used to make preserves or wine. Bernard M’Mahon served as the steward of the plants collected by Lewis and Clark on [...]

2022-07-08T15:28:21-07:00July 8th, 2022|

Plants and their People pt.2 – Wisteria

Wisteria An unknown species of the vigorous vine with fragrant, drooping racemes of flowers ranging in color from white to pink to blue and purple. Adam Wistar (1761- 1818) was a physician at the School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania. Thomas Nuttall named the plant in his honor but misspelled his name; [...]

2022-07-08T15:28:11-07:00July 8th, 2022|

Plants and their People pt.2 – Claytonia perfoliata

Claytonia perfoliata An evergreen herbaceous native often associated with damp places such as stream sides. One of its common names is Miner’s Lettuce as it was one of the few greens that miners could find to supplement their often monotonous diet. John Clayton (1694-1773) was a plant collector/botanist in Virginia who supplied specimens to [...]

2022-07-08T15:27:51-07:00July 8th, 2022|
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