On Saturday, Oct. 11, the Coenosium Rock Garden feature at South Seattle College’s Arboretum was inaugurated as an American Conifer Society (ACS) Reference Garden, with a dedication ceremony running from 1-3:30 p.m.

The celebration started with welcome messages from Seattle Colleges Chancellor Dr. Jill Wakefield and Van Bobbitt, lead faculty member of South’s Landscape Horticulture program. In addition to those messages, special recognition was given to individuals who helped make the Coenosium Rock Garden possible.

The feature is known as one of the largest dwarf conifer collections in the United States.The inauguration wrapped up with remarks from David Olszyk, president of the ACS Western Region, followed by refreshments and tours of the Coenosium Rock Garden.

South Seattle Colleges 5-acre arboretum, that was established by the South Seattle College Foundation in 1978, functions as a living laboratory and outdoor classroom for the college’s Landscape Horticulture students. Professional horticulturists, hobby gardeners and other college programs are often found exploring the free garden sanctuary as well.