June Highlights

Cherry Trail

Cotinus coggygria ‘Purpureus’ - Purple Smoketree

This beautiful purple-leafed shrub is starting its flowering cycle! The blooms are quite showy as a result from plumy hairs on the sterile flowers. The panicles change colors as they age, and around September, they have a “smokey” effect!

Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial

Cornus kousa ‘Autumn Rose’, ‘Moonbeam’, ‘National’, ‘Rosabella’, and ‘Trinity Star’ – Kousa Dogwood

The Kousa Dogwoods are our later flowering dogwoods! ‘Rosabella’ is a shorter and fatter shaped tree with pink flowers. ‘Autmun Rose’ and ‘Trinity Star’ both have beautiful white flowers. And finally, don’t forget to take a look at ‘Moonbeam’, as it has flowers that could be comparable to dinner plates in size!

Overlook Trail

Laburnum anagyroides – Golden Chain Tree

The Golden Chain tree is a must-see in the month of June, when walking along the Overlook Trail! Amongst its green foliage, it has hard-to-miss blooms, as they are long and pendulous (six to ten inches in length), and bright yellow in color!

Elderberry Trail

Styrax japonicus - Japanese Snow-Bell

Native to Japan, China and Korea, the Japanese Snow-Bell blooms starting in May, and goes through June. Hanging below the simple dark and lustrous green leaves, are groups of three to six beautiful white flowers, which have five lobes and yellow stamens! Along with the rounded drupe fruits and smooth gray bark, this tree is a multiple-season sight!

What's in Bloom?

Ribes sanguineum

Red Flowering Currant

This Pacific Northwest native is an early bloomer with gorgeous pink, red, and sometimes white blooms. They can be found throughout the Arboretum as they are a common understory shrub. They provide very valuable habitat for many little critters that rely on their nectar for food. A great compliment to any home garden, because of its habitat qualities and drought tolerance, this species is widely available at nurseries in the Portland Metro area.

Monthly Highlights