Pacific Madrone arbutus menziesii

 

    It is nearly impossible to transplant madrona
    trees--even seedlings--from the wild. This two-year-old madrona
    was purchased from Greer Gardens, where they sell the trees in
    the original containers they were propagated in. An old madrona
    log lies behind. Below is the tree six years later.

    


New growth on madrone, with bracken fern and vine maple in the background

 

    

    
In addition to the native garden, we are
    incorporating more native plants throughout the garden. This
    madrone is about eight years old. Here
    it is at ten.

    
We are at about the ledge of the madrone
    habitat, about thirty miles from salt water. Ridges that catch
    some sea air have naturally occurring specimens up to fifty miles
    from Puget Sound.

Mardona's bark is one of is most spectacular features, turning from smooth rust red, peeling to bright green, and returning again to rust red.