Stranvaesia davidiana ‘Undulata’ – Low Stranvaesia There’s been a name change of the genus from Stranvaesia to Photinia but most likely you’ll still find it in nurseries by its original name. The low growing form stays under 2’ high but can get up to 10’ wide. The parent plant is a tall growing shrubby [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas Fir. Archibald Menzies was a Scottish botanist and surgeon who accompanied Capt. Vancouver in 1790 to the Pacific Northwest. Douglas fir became an ever more important lumber tree in the succeeding years of settlement by non-indigenous people.
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 [...]
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; [...]
Lonicera crassifolia A low growing evergreen honeysuckle that will cloak itself with yellow blossoms if given adequate sun and a slightly moist soil. Adam Lonicer, a German physician and botanist (1528- 1586) is honored by having this genus named for him.
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 [...]