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

Save the Date!

26th Annual Lahr Native Plant Symposium

and Plant Sale

 

      Saturday, March 31, 2012, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

 

Renowned speakers share knowledge and insight on the uses

and understanding of native plants.


Presented by the U. S. National Arboretum

 

This year’s speakers:

 

Peggy Bowers – Mt. Vernon Estate Horticulturist, conservationist, educator

 

Melanie Choukas-Bradley –Author of City of Trees: Field Guide to Trees of Washington, DC

 

Kevin Conrad – Curator of the USDA-ARS Woody Landscape Plant Germplasm Repository

 

Pierre Moitrier – Garden structure designer, co-owner of Designs for Greener Gardens

 

Thomas Rainer –Landscape architect, writer of the award-winning blog, Grounded Design

 

Lee Reich –Lecturer, farmdener, author of Landscaping with Fruit

 

For complete program details, including a map and directions, see the Lahr Symposium brochure or call 202-245-4521.


Registration>

 

The annual Friends of the National Arboretum Native Plant Sale will run concurrently with the symposium, featuring local native plant nurseries offering an extensive selection of plants. Symposium registrants are offered early access to the sale.  

 

This year the Lahr Symposium and Plant Sale will be held at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center  (BARC) as the arboretum’s administration building is under renovation.

 

Please contact me with any questions about this or other National Arboretum programs.

                                                                                

Thank you.

 

 Lindsay Hicks

Horticulture Education Programs Specialist

U.S. National Arboretum

3501 New York Ave. NE

Washington, DC   20002

202-245-5898


Bonsai Repotting Demonstration

 March 24 & 25, 1:00 – 2:00 pm

National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Lecture & Demonstration Center


Watch as a museum curator repots a tree from the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum’s permanent collection.  This procedure, which is usually done behind-the-scenes, will be performed for visitors as an informal drop-in demonstration.  Free.


Lecture: All about Azaleas

March 25, 1:00 – 2:30 pm

Visitor Information center


Few shrubs have more impact on the spring landscape than azaleas, and the Arboretum’s renowned collection is one of Washington’s premier spring attractions. Azalea curator Barbara Bullock will share her extensive knowledge and experience at this in-depth presentation that covers everything from the history of azalea cultivation, to the taxonomy, botany, pests and diseases, propagation, and all aspects of care. Fee: $15 ($12 FONA) Complement this event by registering for one of Barbara’s Azalea Collection Tours in April and May. Registration required.


April


Tours: Spring in the Asian Collections

April 1, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

April 22; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Meet in the Asian Collections parking area


The Asian Collections are some of the Arboretum’s most dramatic and diverse. The steep terrain slopes sharply downhill from the heights of Hickey Hill to the quiet banks of the Anacostia River, where plants from China, Japan, and Korea cover 13 acres of hillside. Join horticulturist Chris Upton on the tours, where he will reveal and identify the rapidly changing spring flora. The walks include steep and unpaved trails. Fee: $15 ($12 FONA) Note: Each tour date requires a separate registration and fee. Registration required.

Tour highlights:



April 1: Mid spring: The magnolias and cherries will add masses of pink throughout the garden; camellias will be flowering along with corylopsis and many perennials, including irises, primroses, and columbines.


April 22: Late spring: Now the garden is alive with color, including roses, rhododendrons, azaleas, redbuds, and loropetalum. Perennials in bloom include Asian Jack-in-the-pulpits, peonies, and irises. It is likely that the rare dove tree, Davidia involucrata, will be flowering this weekend.


Private Full Moon Hike for Group

April 4, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Meet in the Visitor Information center


Gather a group of friends, family, co-workers, and others to enjoy a unique experience considered by many to be one of DC’s best outings. Not recommended for children under 16. No pets, please. See the description of Full Moon Hike, below. Maximum 25 per group. Fee: $550 Registration required.


Ikebana International Exhibition

April 6 – April 22, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Special Exhibits Wing


Enjoy spring flowers with a Japanese twist! The Washington D.C. Chapter of Ikebana International exhibits flower arrangements representing a variety of ikebana schools, from traditional to contemporary. This year’s exhibition honors the centennial of the 1912 Tidal Basin cherry tree planting with arrangements that include flowering cherry branches. The installation will change three times during the exhibit, so plan return visits to see them all. Master teachers will give free ikebana demonstrations from 1:00 – 2:30 pm on April 14, 15, 21, and 22. See Ikebana International Demonstrations. National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. Free.


Camellia Collection Talk and Tour

April 7, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Visitor Information center


Learn about the two main types of camellias that perform well in the mid-Atlantic region and tour the National Arboretum’s extensive camellia collection with horticulturist Carole Bordelon. Her illustrated lecture will explore the spring- and fall-blooming types and cover flower and plant forms, growing requirements, bloom periods, pests and diseases, and the Arboretum research that led to the development of cold-hardy camellias for our area. Tour the two-acre collection, which includes both types of camellias and over 100 varieties, and see the spring-flowering types in bloom. Fee: $15 ($12 FONA) Registration required.


Talk and Tour: Flowering Cherries: From Ancient Japanese Forests to Modern American Landscapes

April 14, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Visitor Information center

National Arboretum botanist Dr. Alan Whittemore tells the fascinating story of how a series of events involving Japan’s early warlords, a 5th century  wave of immigration, and political upheavals contributed to the flowering cherry tree becoming Japan’s official symbol of spring, renewal, and rebirth. Dr. Margaret Pooler, Arboretum geneticist, continues the story with a discussion of the USDA’s role in receiving the gift of the trees from Japan in 1912, establishing them at the Tidal Basin, and conducting research to create new and improved varieties for the American landscape. Horticulturist David Kidwell-Slak leads a brief tour and discusses how to select, plant, and care for one of these distinctive trees in the home landscape. Fee: $15 ($12 FONA) Registration required.


Ikebana International Demonstrations

April 14, 15, 21, & 22; 1:00 – 2:30 pm

National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Lecture & Demonstration Center


Master teachers from the Washington, DC chapter of Ikebana International demonstrate four different schools of ikebana at these demonstrations in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum: April 14, Ikenobo; April 15, Ohara; April 21, Ichiyo; April 22, Sogetsu. For more information, see Ikebana International Exhibition. Free.


Master Gardener Plant Clinic

April 21, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Near Visitor Information center


Bring your lawn and garden questions to the Arboretum where D.C. Master Gardeners will assist you with diagnosis of and solutions to plant problems. For best results with disease, pest, and identification questions, bring in a good-sized, live sample of the plant material. Additional clinics will be held on June 9 and September 15. Free.


Azalea Collections Tour

April 25, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

April 27, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Meet in the Visitor Information center

Amid a brilliant spring display of hundreds of blooming azaleas, learn about the origins and culture of these popular shrubs from Barbara Bullock, the long-time curator of the Azalea Collections. Get expert advice on all aspects of growing azaleas in your landscape and learn how an Arboretum scientist developed hundreds of varieties for the mid-Atlantic area. Fee: $15 ($12 FONA) Registration required.

Garden Fair and Plant Sale

April 27, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm; Friends of the National Arboretum members only

April 27, 1:00 – 4:00 pm; Open to the public
April 28, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm; Open to the public

New York Avenue parking lot

 

The 22nd annual Garden Fair and Plant Sale features new, rare, and hard-to-find plants, garden supplies, used books, children's activities, refreshments, entertainment, and more. Bring your garden questions to National Arboretum staff members for expert advice. Sponsored by the Friends of the National Arboretum. Free admission.


May


Azalea Collections Tour

May 2, 4:30 – 6:30 pm

May 13, Mother’s Day! 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Meet in the Visitor Information center

Amid a brilliant spring display of hundreds of blooming azaleas, learn about the origins and culture of these popular shrubs from Barbara Bullock, the long-time curator of the Azalea Collections. Get expert advice on all aspects of growing azaleas in your landscape and learn how an Arboretum scientist developed hundreds of varieties for the mid-Atlantic area. Fee: $15 ($12 FONA) Registration required


Potomac Bonsai Festival

May 4 – 6, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Arboretum Grounds

Come to the annual Potomac Bonsai Festival for bonsai activities that entertain everyone from the interested observer to the accomplished artist. Each day features demonstrations, workshops, exhibits, vendors, and the renowned collections of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. Get hands-on experience in workshops and expand your knowledge at informative and entertaining demonstrations. Visiting bonsai artists Harry Hirao and Suthin Sukosolvisit will share their expertise at workshops and demonstrations. All events will be held rain or shine. Free festival admission.


2012 Festival Highlights:


Visiting bonsai artists Suthin Sukosolvisit and Harry Hirao

Children’s activities

Asian food vendor

One-on-one assistance for getting started with bonsai



Free ongoing activities: Demonstrations, Potomac Bonsai Association Exhibit and Show, Vendors, Children’s Activities, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum Permanent Collections


Workshops: New Talent Competition, Intermediate/Advanced Shohin Workshop, Advanced Workshop with Harry Hirao, Advanced Workshop with Suthin


The Potomac Bonsai Festival is co-sponsored by the Potomac Bonsai Association, the National Bonsai Foundation, and the U.S. National Arboretum.


Bonsai Basics Workshop

May 19, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm or

May 20, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Lecture & Demonstration Center


Create your own bonsai in this all-day class designed for the beginner. Learn the horticultural, aesthetic, and cultural elements of bonsai and then apply your new knowledge during the hands-on workshop. All necessary materials, including the plant, pot, soil, and wire are provided, and some tools will be available. Please bring tools if you have them. Bring lunch for a noon break. National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. Fee: $129 ($103 FONA/NBF) Registration required.

Azalea Bonsai Exhibit: Putting on the Glitz

May 26 – June 10, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Special Exhibits Wing



In Japan, it is said that the beauty of an azalea bonsai in bloom is like the beauty of a courtesan dressed in her finest brocade kimono. Breathtaking blossoms cover these late-blooming Satsuki azaleas, miniature in form, but covered with full-sized flowers. This annual spring exhibit showcases the most spectacular examples. National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. Free.


World Bonsai Day Open House

May 12, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

National Bonsai & Penjing Museum


The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum celebrates the second annual World Bonsai Day with continuous demonstrations by Potomac Bonsai Association members, drawings for the demonstration trees, curator-led tours hourly from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, and an exhibit about Mr. Saburo Kato. World Bonsai Day was created by the World Bonsai Friendship Federation (WBFF) to honor the memory of Mr. Kato, the founder of WBFF, who believed that bonsai has the power to unite people by acting as a bridge to international friendship and peace. Admission and all events are free.