Arboretum Foundation

Something exciting is happening in the Arboretum wetlands! Restoration of our beloved Waterfront Trail has finally begun.

The trail along the shoreline of Foster Island connecting to Marsh Island and the Montlake Lid is one of the Arboretum’s most spectacular and popular features. It offers scenic views of Union Bay and amazing opportunities to encounter wetland plant and wildlife biodiversity in the heart of the city. 🦫🦅🦆

However, it is well overdue for a makeover. Portions of the trail are often submerged or difficult to navigate, especially in the spring and summer months, when the Army Corps of Engineers raises the water level in Lake Washington.

Designs for rebuilding portions of the floating boardwalk and on-grade paths have been in the works since 2018. However, a permitting backlog and delay at the state and federal level—caused by the Covid pandemic and changes in the federal review process—put the project on hold.

Now our partners at Seattle Parks and Recreation have gotten the green light and can proceed with phase 1, which encompasses the trail and floating boardwalk restoration on Foster Island.

The trail is scheduled to reopen in early 2027.

MORE DETAILS: https://arboretumfoundation.org/2026/05/28/waterfront-trail-restoration-project-starting/

📷 Arboretum beaver and river otter photos courtesy Larry Hubbell unionbaywatch.

Late-spring sampler 🌸🌺 from around the Arboretum - and the world!

1. Kalmia latifolia ‘Fuscata’, a cultivated variety of the mountain laurel, a shrub from the eastern U.S., in the Woodland Garden. It was selected for its compact habit and burgundy-and-white petals.

2. Magnolia wilsonii, native to western China, on the northeast corner of the Magnolia Collection, along Arboretum Drive. It is classified as endangered in its home range due to habitat loss and collecting (for traditional medicine).

3. Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) in the main Magnolia Family Collection. It’s the tallest hardwood tree in its native Eastern North America. The specimens in our small grove date to 1937 and are well over 100 feet tall.

4. Western azalea (Rhododendron occidentale) in the Cascadia Entry Garden. Native to Oregon and California, the shrub is very attractive to bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.

5. The unusual Hydrangea serratifolia growing on a Douglas fir in the Chile Entry Garden. Native to mountain forests in Chile and Argentina, this evergreen vine (with a light, fruity fragrance) can climb up to 30 feet high.

6. Henry’s star anise (Illicium henryi), from China, on the eastern edge of the Dan Hinkley Asian Maple Collection. Though related to Illicium verum, the source of the star anise spice, this small evergreen tree is toxic to humans and grown for its ornamental appeal.

7. Birch-leaf viburnum (Viburnum betulifolium), from western and central China, in the Pacific Connections Garden. The deciduous shrub is prized for its purplish-brown, birch-like foliage, fragrant late-spring flowers, and abundant bright-red fall fruits.

8. Gaultheria insana, an evergreen shrub from Chile, in lower Rhododendron Glen. Though related to our native salal (Gaultheria shall on), which has edible fruits, this species is highly toxic, capable of causing permanent brain damage in humans, as hinted in the species name.

Have a floriferous weekend!

Here’s just a sampling of blossoms from around the Arboretum.

1. The tree peony Paeonia lutea var. ludlowii, native to Tibet, in the peony section along Arboretum Drive. This specimen came to us from the North American Rock Garden Society in 1970.

2. Oyama magnolia (Magnolia sieboldii), native to China, Japan, and Korean, on the Visitors Center Terrace. After its first flush of bloom, it will keep blooming intermittently until late summer.

3. Chilean lantern tree (Crinodendron hookerianum) in the future Chile Forest area along the Loop Trail. Though the flowers look good enough to eat, the plant is actually toxic to humans.

4. Rock’s peony (Paeonia rockii), native to China, in the China Entry Garden at Pacific Connections. It is named for Austrian-American botanist and explorer Joseph Rock (1884–1962).

5. Chilean fire tree (Embothrium coccineum), native to Chile and Argentina in the future Chile Forest area along the Loop Trail. In its home range, the tree is pollinated by both hummingbirds and insects.

6. Blue blossom (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus), native to the Coast Range foothills of Oregon and California, in the Cascadia Forest garden. The flowers of this large evergreen shrub are magnets for native bees.

7. Illicium simonsii, a small evergreen tree from China, India, and Myanmar, blooming in Rhododendron Glen. The species is a recent introduction to horticulture. Our specimen came from a wild collection made by explorer Dan Hinkley in 2000.

8. Hybrid rhody (Rhododendron ‘Snow Queen’) in Rhododendron Glen. This specimen dates to 1964 and is still blooming beautifully.