South Seattle Community College Arboretum

This five-acre site, formerly a clay pit, serves as a living classroom for horticulture students and professionals as well as a model for plain folks. Three years ago, the Arboretum converted to organic gardening principles. Like residential gardens, it's a work in progress with constant soil amendment, elimination of invasive plants and redesign of older beds.

The formal Entry Garden greets us with paved paths, grasses, shrubs and herbaceous perennials including a dahlia bed. Follow the left pathway to the Sensory Garden and under the Kiwi arbor to the Helen Sutton Rose Garden where the invasive ground cover Lamiastrum galeobdolon (Yellow Archangel) is being methodically discouraged. If you have invasive plants, try this sheet mulching technique. Remove as much of the invasive plant as you can, then overlap clean sheets of cardboard like roof tiles and cover with 3-6 inches of wood chips.

Rest under the wisteria halfway around the rose garden, and then complete the circuit until you arrive at the Upper Rose Garden on the left. Reverse direction and follow the left fork of the gravel path to the Acer Garden. The "crown jewel" of the Arboretum lies just beyond.

The Coenosium Rock Garden took six years to create, and is acclaimed as one of the best public collections of dwarf conifers in the country. Fall in love with the astonishing interplay of shapes, colors and textures which contrast with the blue granite paths, sculpted rocks and alpine plants. The donated conifers run the gamut from rare to quite rare and extremely rare. Calocedrus decurrens 'Berimma Gold' and Pinus contorta 'Chief Joseph' provide striking golden winter color.

Heading east, back down the main path, is a "viewsome" rest stop from the gazebo that overlooks the city. Opposite the gazebo is the original Milton Sutton Conifer Garden that leads down to the Erickson Garden, full of birch, pine and white heaths. Very Norway. Exit up the hill, over the student-built bridge, by the native plantings back into the Entry Garden.

Return throughout the year to revere the Arboretum's exceptional beauty and to honor the student labor which makes it possible.

NOTE: Wheelchair access limited to Entry and Rose Gardens only. Off-path trails are at your own risk.