SSCC Arboretum and the Seattle Chinese Garden

 A view of the Chinese Garden from the Arboretum

Here are two more local gardens that I had never visited before a few days ago, the Seattle Chinese Garden and adjacent to it the South Seattle Community College arboretum.  They are located in West Seattle.  

 Of the two, the Chinese Garden is much newer and not yet completed; however, there is a visitor center and gift shop with maps, a model of what it will look like eventually, and a helpful attendant to answer questions.  In addition to the Spring Courtyard seen in the photos above the Chinese Garden complex will also have a 75 ft tall pagoda and a tea house.  The community of Chongqing, China, a sister city of Seattle, in part funded the garden and Chinese architects were used to design the buildings.  It truly does feel like stepping in another world upon entering the garden.

The South Seattle Community College arboretum was established in 1978.  Some of the areas are currently closed for renovation, and one area was in process of improvement.  It is divided into sections of different plants; for instance, one area is for tropical plants, one for roses, one for small conifers, a rock garden and another for native plants.  There are nice benches in shady places and pavilions so it is possible to sit and enjoy the gardens or just have a rest.  A small brook runs through it making a pleasant gurgle.  

Most of the plants did not have tags and we unable to identify all of them but here are some pictures from the SSCC arboretum.

This colorful Japanese maple tree is one of the first things to greet the visitor of the SSCC arboretum.

 Day Lilies

 Azalea

Rose

 Another variety of Japanese maple

 Gorse

 The natural looking stream that flows through part of the arboretum

 Pink Dogwood

 Orange roses

 Canterbury bells

 Poppies

 Rose bud

Two toned single petal roses

 One of the pavilions with benches and a courtyard

 

This looks like a miniature Gorse

Both gardens are open to the public and free with donations accepted at the Chinese Garden.

For more information check out these links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Chinese_Garden
http://www.seattlechinesegarden.org/index.php?p=Visit&s=27
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Seattle_Community_College_Arboretum
http://www.southseattle.edu/arboretum/