Doesn’t this 451-acre green oasis look inviting? This is the U.S. National Arboretum. It sits on the shores of the Anacostia River in Washington D.C.
Established in 1927, the U.S. National Arboretum is more than just a garden. It’s a research institution. It enhances the value of plants through research and conservation. Congress established it.
Over 650,000 visitors come each year. They connect with nature and science. The U.S. National Arboretum introduces plants resistant to diseases. This benefits the nation’s plant nursery landscape.
The U.S. National Arboretum has many gardens. Visit the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. It showcases the history and beauty of bonsai. Some trees are centuries old.
Don’t miss the Introduction Garden. It features cultivars introduced by the U.S. National Arboretum. A koi pond is a favorite with kids.
See the Capitol Columns. They once stood at the Capitol Building’s East Portico. Now, they overlook a beautiful meadow.
Explore the National Herb Garden. It is the largest designed herb garden in the United States. It includes a knot garden and a rose garden. Ten beds are organized by themes.
Follow shaded paths in Fern Valley. This woodland area features native plants. These are from the eastern United States.
The Washington Youth Garden grows food crops. It is family-friendly. The Asian Collections feature plants from China, Japan, and Korea. You can see a winter-blooming Camellia Collection.
Discover the Gotelli Conifer Collection. It mixes dwarf conifers with crapemyrtle cultivars.
Thousands of azalea plants fill the Azalea Collections. These collections opened the grounds to the public. The Friendship Garden surrounds Arbor House. It is low-maintenance and environmentally friendly.
The U.S. National Arboretum’s woody plant collection is impressive. It includes over 6,100 accessions. These represent 1,617 unique species.
The Arboretum preserves germplasm from the early 20th century. It also collects plants internationally. Significant collections include Acer, Buxus, Magnolia, Prunus, Quercus, and Rhododendron. The U.S. National Arboretum maintains type material for over 650 cultivars.
As a USDA-ARS Germplasm Repository, the U.S. National Arboretum conserves woody landscape plants. The collections are available for research.
The U.S. National Arboretum also houses the National Grove of State Trees. Each plot features a state’s official tree. The entrance arbor is dedicated to Jeanne Yeutter. She loved trees.
The National Bonsai and Penjing Museum displays bonsai in Japanese, Chinese, and North American Pavilions. A Japanese temple bell from 1798 stands at the Japanese Pavilion entrance.
The U.S. National Arboretum also hosts a pair of bald eagles. They began nesting here in 2014. It was the first time since 1947. You can watch them on the eagle nest cam.
Remember the U.S. National Arboretum for its beauty and science. It is a treasure in Washington, D.C.