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ARBORETUM PICTURE OF THE WEEK
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DIRECT ARBORETUM SUPPORT
Donations -- Volunteering

PRIVATE SUPPORT GROUPS
Friends of the National Arboretum
Herb Society of America
National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc.
National Bonsai Foundation

Fern Valley Native Plant Collection
to Close for Renovation

Major new improvements are coming to our native plant collection; however, to complete the work, we will need to close Fern Valley for three months beginning October 14, 2008. During this time, a contractor will be completing work on the final phase of a project that involves the construction of a new entrance, accessible paths, a wet meadow, new bridges, a board walk over a low wet area, and establishing a native plant cultivar area. We are asking visitors to not enter the area during this time because of the ongoing construction, equipment, and possibly unsafe conditions. We do expect this collection to be open to visitors in time for visitors to see the early spring flowering native plants.
This effort is part of the U.S. National Arboretum’s long range Master Plan. This woodland garden is a key component of the major collections and display gardens at the USNA. In addition to this work, new rustic benches will be installed along the paths. For the first time, a major portion of the Fern Valley Native Plant Collection will be accessible from the new entrance near the National Capitol Columns on the Ellipse. Further improvements will be made in 2009 in preparation for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of this collection in 2010.
In the meantime, be sure to check our Fern Valley Native Plant Collection "Virtual Tour", or our Fern Valley FAQ page.

IMPORTANT NOTICES

Arboretum Virtual Tours Whole Campus and Fern Valley, Asian, Conifer and Bonsai Collections	NEW Power Plants Garden Virtual Tour	Arboretum Plant Introductions View plants developed by arboretum scientists and find one that's right for you!
Check out our new Research on Tough Streetwise Urban Trees	A Classical Chinese Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum.	Gardening Tips & Ideas at the U.S. National Arboretum.

EDUCATION

Bonsai Winter Silhouette Winter Silhouettes: Bonsai and Penjing Exhibit
December 6 - December 14, 10:00am - 4:00pm
National Bonsai & Penjing Museum

Discover a new way to appreciate the subtle and serene beauty of winter at this annual exhibit. Specially selected deciduous trees from the permanent collection will be featured in a formal display where they will reveal their framework, or "bare bones". Without the cover of leaves, the elegant lines of the trees will be prominent. Casual observers, novices, and experienced bonsai artists alike will enjoy this unique view of the trees. The show is held in the comfort of the museum's indoor Special Exhibits Wing. No registration required. Free.

View Arboretum Calendar of Events

HORTICULTURE
Wetland kusamono planting

The Art of Kusamono

A companion to the art of bonsai is the art of kusamono. Kusamono are potted arrangements of wild grasses and flowers in unique pots or trays. The name is composed of two Japanese characters — "grass" and "thing" — which together suggest humble, everyday plants or even weeds. Originally, this name referred to the small, potted grasses displayed next to bonsai as accent plants.

A well-chosen kusamono reflects the season in which it is displayed. Some compositions are designed to include plants that will look good in several seasons. Besides the season, a kusamono should suggest a specific natural habitat—such as a wetland, meadow or woodland. Whether using a single plant or a group of plants, there are three basic styles of planting: moss-ball, out-of-pot, or in a container. Read Full Story.

View What's Blooming

RESEARCH

Introducing Viburnum 'Nantucket'

The National Arboretum is pleased to announce the release of 'Nantucket', the 20th viburnum cultivar from the shrub breeding program. This outstanding plant was selected for its large, mildly fragrant white inflorescences, dark semi-evergreen narrow leaves, and upright relatively compact growth habit. With a mature size of 12 feet high by 7 feet wide, 'Nantucket' is well-suited as a specimen plant, in a hedge or mass planting, or as a backdrop in the shrub border.

'Nantucket' originated from a cross made in 1988 by the late Donald Egolf using 'Eskimo' as the seed parent combined with pollen from a species collected in the wild from China. Based on production and landscape performance at the USNA and at the sites of various cooperators, 'Nantucket' was named and released by the US National Arboretum and Agricultural Research Service in July 2008. Read Full Story

View Plant Introductions and Award Winners

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United States National Arboretum
3501 New York Avenue, NE; Washington, D. C. 20002-1958
Tel: 202-245-2726 Fax: 202-245-4575

The U.S. National Arboretum is a division of the
Beltsville Agricultural Research Center of the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture

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Last Updated November 20, 2008 11:00 AM
URL= http://www.usna.usda.gov
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