Home » Travel & Places » United States

US National Arboretum

Ranked #3,090 in Travel & Places, #99,902 overall

DC's Urban Oasis

Are you planning a vacation to the nation's capitol or looking for a great garden destination in the Washington DC area? Maybe you're looking for a relaxing place to ride a bike. Join me on an overview of the US National Arboretum, one of my favorite gardens in Washington. Renowned for it's unique National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, azalea collections, dwarf conifer collection and the State Grove of Trees, the Arboretum also has fantastic lilacs and perennials such as day-lilies and peonies as well as the National Herb Garden. History buffs will enjoy the National Capitol Columns which once stood at the east portico of the U.S. Capitol, and bikers will enjoy riding miles of paved roads.

The Azalea Collection
is in jeopardy!

Historic Glen Dale Azaleas

A view of the historic Glenn dale azaleas on sunny Mount Hamilton. THIS is why Washingtonians flock to the arboretum in late April. Photo © 2009 Chris Scroggins

SPRING: The Azaleas Collection

AN EXCERPT FROM THE ARBORETUM BROCHURE: The collections, which cover 40 acres of a forested hillside and explode in a riot of color in late April and May include historical and modern varieties. Visit often to relax in one of the area's most beautiful and tranquil woodland gardens.

Help FONA save the Boxwood and Azalea Collection

Each year over 100,000 Washington families enjoy the historic and beautiful azalea displays. Find out how you can help support this great plant collection.
Friends of the National Arboretum
Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) is leading a major fundraising campaign to save the U.S.
National Arboretum's Azalea and National Boxwood Collections. The campaign seeks to raise $1
million from individuals, families and organizations who value and enjoy one of the area's most
magnificent and culturally important natural displays. This $1 million campaign, together with an
earlier gift of the same amount, is needed to permanently preserve these collections and ensure they
will be enjoyed by future generations.
FACT SHEET
Background
The Azalea Collection has long been a landmark in Washington. It was the magic of the spring azalea
display that first prompted the Arboretum to open to the public in 1949. Today, the Arboretum hosts
more than half a million visitors a year, and the annual spectacle of the Azalea Collection in bloom is
considered one of Washington's premier spring attractions. As many as 100,000 visitors flock to the
Arboretum during the six-week blooming period each spring to witness thousands of azaleas in a blaze
of color. The adjacent National Boxwood Collection contains more than 150 varieties, making it one of
the most complete in the world.
DONATE NOW
The National Arboretum without the azaleas, or boxwood, for that matter, is like the Tidal Basin without the cherry trees. Here's a chance for those of us who have enjoyed one of Washington's premier spring attractions year after year to make sure these quintessential collections are still around 100 years from now or even next spring.

Mt. Hamilton

A view of Mt. Hamilton on April 26, 2009. © Chris Scroggins
An EXCERPT FROM THE ARBORETUM BROCHURE: "15,000 azaleas were planted on the south side of Mt. Hamilton in 1946-47. They were all hybrids created by B.Y.Morrison. Morrison, a trained landscape architect, arranged the plants into large sweeps of overlapping color and times of bloom. "

Historic Glenn Dales Azaleas

© Chris Scroggins

A cool Spring keeps azalea buds tightly furled in 2009. © Chris Scroggins

These azalea books make great birthday or holiday gifts for shade gardeners.

Azalea Books

Loading

Spring Perennials

A view of perennials next to the National Herb Garden on May 26, 2009. © Chris Scroggins

The Morrison Garden

© Chris Scroggins / After strolling around Mt Hamilton and the historic Glenn dales, you can cool your heels in the Morrison garden filled with boxwoods and Glenn Dale azaleas.

The Lilac Collection

Although not as well known as the major collections, the lilacs are the stars in mid April.

Lilacs almost at peak on April 19th, 2009. © Chris Scroggins

When will they invent a camera that captures fragrance? © Chris Scroggins

In addition to the traditional lilac colors, you will also see some less typical varieties like this all white lilac. © Chris Scroggins

This deep fuscia colored lilac was a knock out. © Chris Scroggins

These lilac gardening books are perfect birthday and holiday gift ideas for gardeners.

Lilac Gardening Books

Loading

Late Summer's Delight: The Washington Youth Garden

Come inside and see what Washington area kids are planting this season. © Chris Scroggins

Cleomes and sunflowers abound. © Chris Scroggins

Support the Washington Youth Garden

visit: http://www.washingtonyouthgarden.org

FROM THE WEBSITE: The Washington Youth Garden at the National Arboretum
provides hands-on nutrition, gardening, and environmental education programs to DC youth and their families.

The summer blooms reach way over your head, making you feel like a little kid again. © Chris Scroggins

Scarecrows help protect precious vegetables planted by the kids. © Chris Scroggins

US National Arboretum Website

US National Arboretum website
Get information about classes and special events from the official website for the Arboretum.

Special Events at the Arboretum

Annual Orchid Show: National Capitol Orchid Society
Browse this site for information on their annual show and sale held at the National Arboretum.
Garden Fair
The annual Garden Fair offers unusual plants, garden supplies, activities and food vendors.

Special Exhibitions

Special botanical art exhibitions like this photography exhibit by artist Andrea Ottesen are held in the Administration building.

Friends of the National Arboretum

Given the economic climate supporting the National Arboretum is more important now than ever.

FONA
Would you like to support the National Arboretum? Become a friend of the Arboretum by following this link.
NATIONAL BONSAI FOUNDATION
You can help support the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum by following this link.

Arbor House Gift Shop

Stop by the Arboretum gift shop for unique gifts for gardeners and flower lovers. Located across from the administration buildling parking lot.
© Chris Scroggins

Get garden gloves, garden accents, greeting cards, books and gifts for children at the Arbor House gift shop. © Chris Scroggins

National Arboretum Greeting Cards

US NATIONAL ARBORETUM CARDS
Browse beautiful US NATIONAL Arboretum greeting cards and note cards here.

Garden Flower Greeting Cards

FLOWER NOTE CARDS AND GIFTS
Browse greeting cards, note cards, framed tiles and coffee mug gifts designed by Chris Scroggins Photography.
FLOWER BIRTHDAY CARDS
Send Happy Birthday wishes with beautiful garden flower birthday cards.
FLOWER THANK YOU CARDS
Say thank you to friends, family and business associates with colorful flower thank you notes.

Gently Used Garden Books for Sale

Stop by the FONA headquarters next door to the Arbor House gift shop and purchase used garden books in excellent condition such as these books by well known garden writers.© Chris Scroggins

Green Thumb Guestbook

Did you enjoy your virtual visit to the National Arboretum? Please sign my guest book. And by all means, tell me which of my photos are your favorites. Thanks!

submit
Show All

The Picnic Grounds

Adjacent to the National Grove of State Trees

With no food service on the grounds and limited food service on New York Avenue, it's best to bring your own lunch. © Chris Scroggins

Arboretum Location

Current Weather

Invalid License Key.

Autumn at the Arboretum

All images on this site are copyright © Chris Scroggins.

A view of Red Maples in November, 2009. © Chris Scroggins

National Bonsai and Penjing Museum

Fall is a great time to visit!

No trip to the Arboretum is complete without a visit to the Bonsai Museum.
QUOTE FROM ARBORETUM: " Established in 1976, the museum is an international scholarly center where superior bonsai, penjing and related arts are displayed and studied for the education and delight of visitors." All Images copyright © Chris Scroggins

Hours for Bonsai Museum

Bonsai Museum open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, NOT 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.!!!

Autumn Maple

© Chris Scroggins

Autumn Ginkgo

© Chris Scroggins

The Oldest Bonsai

The famous Japanese white pine in training since 1625. © Chris Scroggins

Hornbeam Bonsai

A Hornbeam bonsai in training since 1935. © Chris Scroggins

© Chris Scroggins

Spring Crabapple

Crabapple in training since 1935. © Chris Scroggins

Kato Stroll Garden

The Kato stroll garden is dedicated to five generations of Bonsai masters in the Kato family. © Chris Scroggins

Want to learn the art of bonsai? You can start by reading one of these top rated bonsai books available on Amazon:

Bonsai Books and Tools

Bonsai books and tools make perfect holiday gifts for bonsai growers and hobbyists.
Loading

Table of Contents

  2. Historic Glen Dale Azaleas
  3. SPRING: The Azaleas Collection
  4. Help FONA save the Boxwood and Azalea Collection
  5. Mt. Hamilton
  6. Historic Glenn Dales Azaleas
  9. Azalea Books
  10. Spring Perennials
  11. What people are saying about the National Arboretum
  12. The Morrison Garden
  13. The Lilac Collection
  18. Lilac Gardening Books
  19. Late Summer's Delight: The Washington Youth Garden
  21. Support the Washington Youth Garden
  24. US National Arboretum Website
  25. Special Events at the Arboretum
  26. Special Exhibitions
  27. Friends of the National Arboretum
  28. Arbor House Gift Shop
  30. National Arboretum Greeting Cards
  32. Garden Flower Greeting Cards
  34. Gently Used Garden Books for Sale
  35. Green Thumb Guestbook
  36. The Picnic Grounds
  37. Arboretum Location
  38. Current Weather
  39. Autumn at the Arboretum
  40. National Bonsai and Penjing Museum
  41. Hours for Bonsai Museum
  42. Autumn Maple
  43. Autumn Ginkgo
  44. The Oldest Bonsai
  45. Hornbeam Bonsai
  47. Spring Crabapple
  48. Kato Stroll Garden
  50. Bonsai Books and Tools
  51. Bonsai tweets

by

NatureMaven

Do you love nature photography? I hope you enjoy exploring my squidoo lenses about Baltimore and Washington area gardens, parks and outdoor recreation... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Related Tags