Inside: Events, updates, and news from the garden this season
Dear Curious Gardener,
Fall has come. It's that magical time when our fuchsia flowers reach peak bloom, and foliage turns to gold. To celebrate, we've planned a full slate of programming around the splendors of the season, like The Art of Fuchsia Care this Thursday—and a cozy Guided Nature Walk in October. Join us, and enjoy fall's fleeting beauty, while it lasts.
IN THIS ISSUE:
• Check out our fall programs and new free-admission days
• Find out how to view the PowellsWood fuchsias during peak season
• Sneak peek new progress on our Children's Garden mural
• Plus: Reader questions, what's blooming now, and a look back at scenes from a PowellsWood summer
ASK OUR READERS
FALL QUESTION:
What’s your favorite plant to grow for winter interest?
Each issue, Understory asks our readers a gardening question. Look for answers in the next issue! Read on for winter question answers.
BLOOMING NOW
Six reasons to visit PowellsWood this fall.
Fall brings fuchsias and bright foliage
Gold and red leaves are starting to drop
Our private fuchsia garden is open to visitors
Dahlias are hitting their stride; photo by Ariel
Persicaria makes a stunning fall display
Asters feed hungry autumn pollinators
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mark your calendar for these horticultural happenings.
THE ART OF FUCHSIA CARE WITH CAROLINE ZEBROSKI
• Thursday, September 24, 5:00 p.m.
Learn to care for hardy and non-hardy fuchsias, how to start fuchsias from cuttings, proper pinching techniques, effective pest control, overwintering, and waking up fuchsias in spring. One of our region's most experienced fuchsia growers will share lessons from decades of experience caring for fuchsias—including over 130 varieties at Bellevue Botanical Garden. Register now!
GUIDED NATURE WALK
WITH REBECCA LEXA
• Thursday, October 22, 4–6:30 p.m.
Register now for a cozy autumn evening featuring hot cider, a crackling fire pit, and an educational nature walk led by Master Naturalist Rebecca Lexa. From wildlife migrations to fall fungi, this nature walk will highlight some of the natural processes that make this season so spectacular. Copies of Lexa's book, The Everyday Naturalist: How to Identify Animals, Plants, and Fungi Wherever You Go, will be available for purchase.
SEE FUCHSIAS NOW–OCTOBER; LAST SHUTTLE RUNS THURSDAY
• Fuchsia Garden open through October
• Last shuttle date: Thurs., Sept. 24, 12-4:30 p.m.
Regular admission applies.
Free to members and children 12 and under.
Once again, the PowellsWood founders have opened their private fuchsia garden through October, during regular hours. Bring your hiking shoes and prepare for a short trek through the woods. Or, take our Fuchsia Shuttle at no extra charge. The last day the Fuchsia Shuttle will run is September 24, ahead of our ticketed, after-hours event with Caroline Zebroski, "The Art of Fuchsia Care."
VISIT FREE ON FIRST WEDNESDAYS THIS FALL
• October 7 & November 4, 10a.m.–4p.m.
Just in time to enjoy dahlias, fuchsias, and fall foliage at its peak, PowellsWood is waiving admission for guests on FIRST WEDNESDAYS this fall, during regular hours. Our next free days will be Wednesday, October 7, and Wednesday, November 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring a friend and take advantage of this opportunity to relax in our hidden oasis, free of charge, during this especially scenic time of year.
Ask Our Readers - Last Issue's Answers
In our Summer issue, we asked: "What’s your favorite plant to grow to attract hummingbirds?"
A hummingbird feasts on fuchsia nectar.
"Pineapple sage!"
—Elizabeth Frey
"Fuchsias of course."
–Janet Dillow
"Crocosmia is my hummingbirds' favorite. Second goes to Digitalis."
—Mary Richman Sankaran
A BRIGHT SPOT GROWS
Diane Smith's Bright Spot mural keeps blooming in our Children's Garden. Recently, King County TV filmed the work-in-progress.
In this scene from KCTV, Diane Smith adds flowers and foliage to the nature-themed mural inside our Children’s Garden Forest House. The immersive artwork covers the ceiling and all four walls, and is currently in-progress—so guests have the rare opportunity to watch it develop over time. Thanks to Kelly Baxter for capturing behind-the-scenes photographs.
SCENES FROM SUMMER
Part of our mission is enriching our community through horticultural excellence, education, and conservation. Thanks to Kelly Baxter for capturing our mission at work this summer.
Members learned about fuchsias during our Huckleberry Gardens Shop & Sip.
Shopping for fall plants was a highlight of our evening at Huckleberry Gardens.
45 guests attended our Rare Fuchsia Talk & Sale with Matt Hedlund.
Several guests took notes during Hedlund's presentation.
Kevin Burke led two guided bird walks in September.
Intern Atticus Abraham (left), head gardener Damon Gardyne, and reader Gerry Jones led our Story Walk Launch Party.
Our Story Walk remains on view through fall. Bring sturdy shoes and follow the panels on a short loop trail near our Children's Garden.
THE GARDENER'S BOOKSHELF
Here's what we're reading this summer—and why!
THE EVERYDAY NATURALIST
How to Identify Animals, Plants, and Fungi Wherever You Go
Copies of Rebecca's book will be available for purchase during our Guided Nature Walk on October 22.
As we count the days to our Guided Nature Walk with Portland-based Master Naturalist Rebecca Lexa, we're poring over her gorgeous book from Ten Speed Press (2025). It might sound like a field guide, but it's not.
"If you’ve ever consulted a field guide ... it seems like you have to know a lot about that mystery bird to even figure out where to start," says Rebecca. That's exactly the gap her book fills. It explains how to use field guides, apps, and other resources; what to do if you get stuck; and more. Best of all, even though its author is based in the Pacific Northwest, the skills it teaches can work in any region.
UN • DER • STO • RY
noun
In a forest, the "understory" is the layer of plants, trees, and shrubs beneath the upper canopy. Each season, Understory brings you the people, plants, and stories of PowellsWood—a proper English-style garden nestled in the deep-green understory of a 37-acre native forest.
YOUR SUPPORT KEEPS US IN BLOOM
PowellsWood Garden Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization sustained by the generosity of members and donors like you! Show your support today for environmental conservation, nature education, and maintaining public access to PowellsWood garden.
