A Field Trip to Seattle University

Akebia trifoliata

It's not really a field trip...I am lucky enough to live only a couple blocks away from Seattle University, where they have an incredible selection of plants growing throughout their 48-acre campus.  Above, an Akebia trifoliata grows on an arbor at one of the school's main entrances.

Helleborus orientalis

Their selection of hellebores is fairly extensive.  Above, clumps of Helleborus orientalis are growing to perfection.

Iris foetidissima & Acanthus mollis

The evergreen leaves and red berries on Iris foetidissima give it a bit of a subtropical allure.  In the background is Acanthus mollis (Bear's breeches).



Daffodils blooming three weeks before the end of winter!

Helleborus argutifolius

This might look like a grouping of 10-15 separate hellebores, but the light-green flowered hellebore in the center of the picture is growing from one solitary clump.  It's giaganitc!  I believe it is a Helleborus argutifolius.  The Helleborus orientalis growing in the foreground is of normal size and shows just how big the other one is.

Juniperus chinensis 'Torulosa'

They have several very, very large Hollywood Junipers (Juniperus chinensis 'Torulosa').

Juniperus chinensis 'Torulosa'

When I first saw these, I thought they were miniature greenhouses:

They are in fact skylights to an indoor corridor below, which makes this a green roof.  Look at the size of those pine trees - not bad for being on a roof! 

There were a number of azaleas in bloom all throughout the campus.

Finally, I was thinking how odd it was to have a rail going into grass, as if anyone needing a rail would want to walk around in the grass.  But I'm now realizing this is probably some artistic symbolism.  I thought the way the kept their grass with weeds and all was actually very attractive.