our blog

Winter Update, 2022

Winter Update, 2022

A snow storm at the end of December briefly transformed the park into a monochromatic wonderland. Fortunately, there was very little damage to trees and other plants from the storm. The Birthday Match fundraising challenge to celebrate the Friend's twentieth year was...

Volunteer Update: Late Fall, 2021

Volunteer Update: Late Fall, 2021

This fall has been busy time for volunteers in the park. Under the guidance of Christina Bentrup, who always put together a variety of tasks suiting differing tastes and abilities, notable progress has been made in both gardens. In the Rhododendron Garden, beyond the...

Wildflower of the Month: Late Fall, 2021

Wildflower of the Month: Late Fall, 2021

Pacific Madrone (Arbutus Menziesii) The fall season is moving on, with colorful leaves falling and trees taking on a barren look.  Before we forget all that color, let’s consider the Pacific Madrone.  These trees are remarkable for their beautiful,...

Volunteer Update:  Early Fall, 2021

Volunteer Update: Early Fall, 2021

In the Rhododendron Garden, volunteers have been busy around the rock creek area and upper Summit Path. Many thousands of small weeds were pulled, lots of blackberry dug, and one bed was mulched. Combined with the fine gravel work done to repair the trails, this...

Wildflower of the Month: Early Fall, 2021

Wildflower of the Month: Early Fall, 2021

Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis)  Coyote Brush is a deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, medium-sized shrub that blooms at a useful time of year, providing a nectar source for skipper butterflies and other native insects in the fall. Although it is more common at the...

What’s Bloomin’: Early Fall, 2021

What’s Bloomin’: Early Fall, 2021

Korean Chrysanthemum Dendranthema sawadskii Korean Chrysanthemums are the latest blooming of all chrysanthemums, beginning their show in early autumn and lasting until a killing frost. They come in a wide variety of colors, from deep reds and magentas to pale yellows,...

Wildflower of the Month:  September, 2021

Wildflower of the Month: September, 2021

Douglas Aster (Symphyotrichum subspicatum) A long and late blooming season - August through September - makes the Douglas Aster a valuable plant for skipper butterflies and many other pollinators. The seeds are taken by small birds. Douglas Aster is easy to grow in...

Late-Summer Update: 2021

Late-Summer Update: 2021

Summer is coming to an end. After several severe heat waves and an extended drought, fall will soon arrive. Fall is a busy season for Friends activities in the park, with new Free the Forest and Walking Tour events now posted in calendars under Activities on the...

Mid-Summer Update: 2021

Mid-Summer Update: 2021

Anemone Summer is in full swing at the park. Volunteers continue to weed, mulch and otherwise beautify the Rhododendron Garden on Tuesday mornings and the Native Plant Garden on Thursday mornings. New gravel has been spread on the loop trail around the main lawn, a...

What’s Bloomin’: June 2021

What’s Bloomin’: June 2021

Elf Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia, commonly called mountain laurel, is a multi-stemmed, broadleaf, evergreen shrub that is native to Eastern North America (New England south to the Florida panhandle). It is found in a variety of habitats, including open rocky...