Seen in West Seattle: Recognize these Fairmount flowers?

It’s sunny, it’s lunchtime, and maybe this will be of use next time you’re out for a walk:

(Click image for the full-size, downloadable, printable PDF)
The native-flower photos, in montage format, were taken last weekend on Fairmount Avenue by Fred Weinmann, whose son Chris Weinmann shared them with us, to share with you. After a quick review, we suspected this was the work of someone more knowledgeable than the average wanderer, so we asked Chris. He tells us his dad – a Port Townsend resident who frequently visits West Seattle to be with family – is a botanist and former president of the Washington Native Plant Society. Fred Weinmann also has published a few botany books, as you can see in this bio from the UW, where he has taught. Thanks to them for sharing, and enlightening!

Oakley34 April 14, 2015 (1:18 pm)

I’m out with my dog all the time, and I often marvel at the beauty of all the plants and flowers in the neighborhood yards and greenspaces…nice now to see which of those are native to the area.

I spent a summer once in Kodiak AK, where salmonberrys are rampant. I don’t remember the flowers, only the berries. I assume though that the flowers are from the same plant, or am I wrong? I’ve lived here quite a while and haven’t seen the berries here. Have I just not opened my eyes, or are they not so prevalent?

R0b0 April 14, 2015 (2:19 pm)

This made me wonder if there were any native plant sales coming up. Looks like the Wa native plant society will have a sale in May. This King co site has lots of native plant info too.

http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/stewardship/nw-yard-and-garden/native-plant-resources-nw.aspx

Pete R April 14, 2015 (4:05 pm)

This will be a handy field guide this spring. I’m saving this image to my phone.

annika April 14, 2015 (4:38 pm)

Awesome, thanks Chris and Fred!

jane April 14, 2015 (9:16 pm)

Oakley34 – Keep your eyes open – the berries and flowers do come from the same plants, and we have plenty of the berries around. Unfortunately, when soil is disturbed, one of the first species to go into that area is the invasive Himalayan Blackberry, which can crowd native species out. I’m wondering if you saw a much more native environment up in Alaska? I do restoration work here, and one of the biggest priorities is removing Himalayan and repopulating with natives – such as Salmonberry that provide food and habitat for wildlife.

WNPS Native Plant Sale is coming up in May 9th on Mercer Island. Always lots of thriving species for sale at great prices, people to chat with and resources for the backyard gardner.

Lynda B April 14, 2015 (10:02 pm)

Nice! Thank you for sharing with us. I also saved it. :-)

westseattledood April 14, 2015 (11:23 pm)

Hey – I have been pleased to see fair amounts of salmonberry down on the trail in the West Duwamish Greenbelt. The hard work of our restoration heros! Woo Hoo!. Edit: To be clear, I have seen the blossoms AND fruit on the bushes. The fruit was mostly at the top of the big shrubs – I surmised other trail walkers got to the berries first. Good problem to have other creatures – winged or otherwise – eating the berries! :)

Kruckeberg Botantic Garden in Shoreline has an annual MSK Nursery Mother Day’s sale. Fantastic collection in an inspirational site. Everybody should do that sale at ;east once. Art Kruckeberg lives on site but donated property . He is over 93 now, I believe? He wrote one of the definitive texts on Cascadia natives when he taught at UW. I had him as an instructor and learned my conifers from him. Kewl.