N° 98 — April 27, 2022
Stay in touch as we celebrate Washington Youth Garden's 50th Anniversary. Enjoy our updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and WYG.

The National Arboretum has implemented a temporary traffic plan through mid-May to keep the grounds safe for all visitors during an extremely busy time of year. This traffic plan impacts gate access, traffic flow, and parking.
Garden Fair & Plant Sale
Our annual Garden Fair & Plant Sale is finally here! Here are a few important things:
TIME
  • 8 AM - 10 AM: Members-only hours for plant sale (there's still time to become a FONA member). Our vendors are open to public at this time.
  • 10 AM - 4 PM: Public hours open to all.

LOCATION
  • Enter the Arboretum through the New York Avenue entrance (3501 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002). The R Street gate is exit-only at this time.
  • Arboretum gates will not open until 8 AM.
  • The Garden Fair itself is located around the Arboretum's Visitor Center and along Meadow Road.

PARKING & SHUTTLES
  • Park in one of the three main parking lots on the grounds (New York Avenue lot, R Street lot, Grove lot).
  • We will have free shuttles running between these three lots and the event at the Visitor Center (see map below).
  • We also provide plantsitting while you get your car so you don't have to take them with you on the shuttle.

REMINDERS
  • Check the event description for the latest lists of plants, vendors, and to sign up for family activities.
  • Plan to pay with a credit or debit card for the plant sale (no cash sales).
  • We will have food and beverage trucks!
  • Dogs are not allowed in the plant sale, but are allowed on leash in the vendor village. Dogs are not recommended since the event can get very crowded.
  • Shopping carts will be provided.
  • Be prepared to follow vendor masking guidelines.
  • After the event, stop by Supreme Core Cider just two blocks from the Arboretum's R Street entrance. 10% of your purchase will be donated back to FONA!

Join us for a weekend of fun this summer as we celebrate Washington Youth Garden's 50th Anniversary!

Birthday Party
Join us Saturday, June 11th from 11 AM to 1:30 PM in the garden for a free, family-friendly birthday party. We’ll have games, activities, and birthday cake. Join our community and connect with WYG staff and participants from the past and present. This event is free but registration is required.
Evening Benefit
Join us Sunday, June 12th from 5:30 PM to 8 PM for an evening benefit as we celebrate Washington Youth Garden’s 50th anniversary. Enjoy cocktails while exploring the garden, a tented dinner, and a toast to those instrumental in WYG’s 50 years of success. Tickets are $150 per person. 


Become an event sponsor and champion the Washington Youth Garden! Help us reach our fundraising goal and lay the foundation for the next 50 years.
Spring Blooms
The Arboretum's azaleas are looking marvelous this week as the collections reach peak bloom! Swing by the Azalea Collections this week or after the Garden Fair this Saturday.

Check out the Arboretum's self-guided azalea tour by downloading the Arboretum's mobile app (iOS or Android).
Bonsai Bonanza
Celebrate the world of bonsai this spring at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum!

Join the Potomac Bonsai Association for their annual Bonsai Festival on May 6th to 8th. Enjoy an exhibition of bonsai by PBA members, formal bonsai displays in the Museum's gallery, bonsai vendors, workshops, demonstrations, and more.
Celebrate World Bonsai Day on May 14th by learning to draw bonsai with local artist Mary Ellen Carsley. This hour-long workshop hosted by the National Arboretum is focused towards beginners, but all experience levels are welcome. Three class sessions are available throughout the day. Tickets are $30 per session and include all materials. Registration is required.
Funder Highlight
We are incredibly grateful for Bartlett Tree Experts' support of our annual Garden Fair & Plant Sale. Their sponsorship helps us bring this event to life and allows us to share the joy of plants, spring, and the National Arboretum with the public every year.
Upcoming Events
Garden Fair & Plant Sale
April 30, 8 AM - 4 PM
Plants, local products, and expert advice

Lunar Eclipse Viewing
May 15, 8 PM - Midnight
Laid-back viewing in the Meadow

WYG 50th Anniversary Weekend
Birthday Party June 11, 11 AM - 1:30 PM
Evening Benefit June 12, 5:30 PM - 8 PM

Summer 5K
June 25, 9 AM
Scenic race through collections in bloom
The Arboretum is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM except December 25th. Some buildings and collections remain closed to ensure visitor and staff safety.
Friends of the National Arboretum
3501 New York Ave NE
Washington, DC 20002
202.544.8733
FONA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization with the mission to preserve and enhance a vibrant public space and support experiential programming that instills a love of plants, nature and the outdoors in all who visit, while promoting the overarching research and education mission of the U.S. National Arboretum.

Since its inception, FONA has helped support the Washington Youth Garden, Capitol Columns, Flowering Tree Walk, horticultural and research internships, restoration of Springhouse Run, and much more.
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