ARBORETUM PICTURE OF THE WEEK Do you know what this is? Click here to find out. To perform a custom search of the Arboretum site - type in a keyword or phrase. Or, go to our Site Map page to browse our page links. 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

Former Director H. Marc Cathey Remembered A memorial bench and tree were dedicated on November 23 to commemorate the contributions of former U.S. National Arboretum Director Dr. Marc Cathey, who died October 8 at the age of 79. The Franklinia and nearby bench are located just south of the National Capitol Columns. The ceremonial dedication of the bench and tree was attended by Cathey’s widow, Mary Cathey, and children Henry M. Cathey, Jr. and Marcy E. Cathey, family members, friends, and colleagues. Dr. Cathey served as Director from 1981 to 1991, during which the National Capitol Columns came to the arboretum, the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum was named and expanded, and the arboretum achieved much greater public visibility. He conceived and developed the National Country Garden, a colorful display of vegetable and flower gardens in living walls, towers, and beds that was located near the National Grove of State Trees from 1984 to 1988. He spearheaded the development of the very detailed version of the USDA Hardiness Zone Map that was developed in 1990. He was a tireless and sought-after lecturer, and was known for the entertaining nature of his talks. He hosted a radio gardening show for many years on WWRC-AM. He contributed greatly to the scientific understanding of environmental control of flowering responses in a variety of ornamental plants in work that he completed for the Agricultural Research Service prior to serving as Director. Cathey is perhaps best remembered for his passion for plants. He promoted a more naturalistic style of gardening long before the advent of more informal landscapes where turf and manicured shrubs are replaced with grasses and perennials. He anticipated the importance of environmentally friendly gardening before it became a popular theme and developed the SmartGarden™ program while serving as President of the American Horticultural Society, a post he took after his tenure at the arboretum. Marc Cathey will always be remembered for his many contributions to the arboretum and to the passionate and energetic promotion of its plants, programs, and potential.

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

Arboretum Information || Events & Education || Gardens & Horticulture || Research Activities Support the Arboretum || New Plant Introductions || USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map || Comments Search Our Site 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 Government System Usage Policy || USDA Nondiscrimination Statement || Privacy and Security Policy || Endorsement Disclaimer || Accessibility Disclaimer Last Updated December 10, 2008 3:13 PM URL= http://www.usna.usda.gov *###*