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N° 146 — April 19, 2023

Enjoy regular updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and our award-winning Washington Youth Garden.

Garden Fair & Plant Sale

Plant lists are here for next weekend's Garden Fair & Plant Sale! Check out the list of plants our team of garden experts have ordered for this event, taking place on Saturday, April 29th:


Our garden experts will be available at the Plant Sale to answer your gardening questions. Photo by Matthew Rakola.

Radical Roots Organic Farm, pictured above, will sell vegetable and herb seedlings in Vendor Village. Photo by Matthew Rakola.

Please note, while all of these plants have been ordered, sometimes factors beyond our control do not allow us to offer all the plants described in the lists.


While FONA's Plant Sale primarily sells plants for outdoor gardening, many other vendors in the Vendor Village will be selling vegetable seedlings, house plants, and other outdoor plants. See the full event details to learn what else the Garden Fair & Plant Sale has to offer, including activities for both children and adults. Make sure to register so we know you're coming!


Garden Fair & Plant Sale Details >

Plants are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. FONA members get early access to the Plant Sale from 9 AM to 11 AM on April 29th. Become a member today to get first pick of these one-of-a-kind plants!


Become a FONA Member >

Spring Blooms

The Arboretum's Azalea Collections have reached peak bloom, and Mount Hamilton is awash in color. While the Kurume and Glenn Dale azalea varieties are currently at peak bloom, other varieties in the collections will bloom throughout April and May, and even into June. We recommend visiting during the week to avoid weekend crowds. Check out the Arboretum's self-guided azalea tour by downloading the Arboretum's mobile app (iOS or Android).


Please remember to stay on trail paths and out of garden beds to avoid damaging valuable germplasm, and that dogs must remain on leash at all times. Parking is allowed on the right side of Eagle Nest Road, but all four wheels must remain on the road to protect the turf.


Learn More About the Azalea Collections >

There's still time to apply for the Summer Institute for Garden-based Teaching! The application deadline has been extended until April 30th. This professional development training will take place from July 11th to 14th. Participants will learn outdoor group management techniques, foolproof activities, sustainable school garden program design, and more.


This training is open to all returning Pre-K through 5th grade teachers, staff, or volunteers who work in a DC school with an existing school garden program. All participants receive a stipend, and schools that send two or more participants are eligible for a materials stipend to support their garden program.


Apply for the Summer Institute >

Photo by Kelsey Cochran

Music in the Meadow

Tickets for the spring concert on Saturday, May 13th are almost sold out — get yours before they're gone! Enjoy a picnic while you listen to music from Cumbia Heights, a neo-cumbian band based in Washington, DC with alt tropical vibes. Paste & Rind and Republic Restoratives will be selling food and drinks during the event. Tickets are required for this event, but pay what you can to attend.


Purchase a Concert Ticket >

Special Lecture Invitation

Attend a special in-person lecture with Tony Kirkham at Dumbarton Oaks on Wednesday, May 3rd from 5 PM to 7 PM. This event is co-hosted by FONA, Oak Spring Garden Foundation, and Dumbarton Oaks. During his lecture, Tony will share about the incredible trees of Kew Royal Botanic Gardens in England. Tony recently retired as Director of Arboretum, Gardens, and Horticultural Services from Kew Gardens, where he worked for over 40 years. Registration is required, tickets cost $20.


Register for the Lecture >

Photo by Tony Kirkham.

Click the photo above for a larger view the shirt design. Final shirt color may vary.

Summer 5K

Don't miss out on early-bird pricing for our Summer 5K, taking place on Saturday, June 3rd! Enjoy summer at the Arboretum while you run or walk the protected course.


If you sign up for the race by midnight on Wednesday, May 3rd, registration costs $40 and includes a race t-shirt (see shirt design to the left). Standard registration starting on May 4th costs $55 and does not include a t-shirt (FONA members use your discount code).


Register for the Race >

Funder Highlight

We are incredibly grateful to Bartlett Tree Experts and the Frank & Evelyn Schmidt Family Foundation for sponsoring this year's Garden Fair & Plant Sale. Their long-time support of this event helps it grow and reach more people every year.


A special thank you to our in-kind sponsors for donating plants and supplies to the Plant Sale: Adcock's Nursery, American Plant, Edelweiss Perennials, Far Reaches Farm Nursery, Foxborough Nursery, JC Raulston Arboretum, Terry Macfarlane, Manor View Farm, Monrovia Plants, Piedmont Carolina Nursery, Pleasant Run Nursery, Rare Tree Nursery, Barbara Shea, Youngblood Nursery.

Photo by Matthew Rakola

Upcoming Events

Garden Fair & Plant Sale

April 29, 9 AM - 4 PM

Plants, vendors, & activities

Details & Registration >


Music in the Meadow

May 13, 6:30 PM - 9 PM

Evening concert in the meadow

Details & Registration >


Summer 5K

June 3, 8 AM

Run or walk through collections in bloom, members use discount code

Register for the Race >


Springhouse Run Volunteer Days

Various dates and times

Keep the restored stream healthy

Upcoming Dates & Registration >


Forest Bathing Walks

Various dates and times

Meditation and mindfulness

Upcoming Dates & Registration >

The Arboretum is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM except December 25th.

There is a temporary traffic plan in effect until mid-May that impacts traffic flow and parking throughout the grounds.

Check Our Website for Full Details >

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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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