Spring into School Gardening 

Saturday, March 22 | 11 AM -12:30 PM

DC Educators, jump start your school garden's spring growing season with supplies and knowledge from the Washington Youth Garden. Get free garden supplies, like compost and seedlings, attend a short garden training, and network with fellow educators.

Details & Registration >

Flowering 5K

Sunday, March 23 | 9 AM

Enjoy the beautiful spring blooms at the Arboretum while running or walking the course. Roads are closed to cars during this race to create a safe and secure event.

Register now to secure your spot - it's filling quickly. Registration costs $50. FONA members, use your discount code to receive 20% off. Free registration is available for the first 50 veterans who register, and active and reserve military members can receive 20% off registration. Email info@fona.org for these coupon codes.

Details & Registration >

Native Plant Sale

Saturday, March 29 | 8 AM - 1 PM

Get a head start on spring with one of the earliest plant sales in the area. Our annual Native Plant Sale includes six vendors from across the mid-Atlantic selling spring ephemerals and many other choice perennials and woody plants. The sale takes place in conjunction with the National Arboretum’s Lahr Native Plant Symposium (see details below).

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March Forest Bathing

Saturday, March 29 | 9 AM - 11 AM

Join Sage and Paul, two certified nature and forest therapy guides, as they invite you to reflect on the surrounding nature and guide you through focused meditations. Our suggested ticket price is $35 ($28 for FONA members), but please pay what you can to attend starting at $15.

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Volunteer Open House

Saturday, April 5 | 10 AM - 12 PM

Volunteering with Friends of the National Arboretum is a rewarding experience. Come to our Volunteer Open House in the Washington Youth Garden to learn all about how to volunteer in our garden or at our events.

Details & Volunteer Interest Form >

April Forest Bathing

Saturday, April 12 | 9 AM - 11 AM

Join our nature and forest therapy guide in this two-hour program that encourages you to slow down and take in the National Arboretum through all your senses. Our suggested ticket price is $35 ($28 for FONA members), but please pay what you can to attend starting at $15.

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Garden Fair & Plant Sale

Saturday, April 26 | 9 AM - 4 PM

Celebrate spring with our fantastic array of plants, expert gardening advice, dozens of local vendors, and outdoor activities! The annual Garden Fair & Plant Sale is FONA’s largest seasonal festival and is an important fundraiser. 

The Garden Fair will be held in the New York Avenue parking lot. Free shuttles will transport people from parking lots around the Arboretum to the event.

Much anticipated member-only hours at the plant sale from 9-11 AM.

Vendor information and registration coming soon.

Extended Hours

May 9 & 30 | 5 PM - 8 PM

Extended evening hours at the National Arboretum are back this spring! The Arboretum will stay open to the public until 8 PM on some Fridays through the spring and summer.

These evenings are free for all to enjoy! Extended hours are made possible by Friends of the National Arboretum and the Capitol Hill Community Foundation.

Community Fishing

Friday, May 9 | 5 PM - 8 PM

Enjoy evening fishing along the banks of the Anacostia River at the Arboretum. No experience is necessary, and all ages are welcome. All supplies and fishing instruction are provided for this free event.

This event is co-hosted by FONA and the Anacostia Riverkeeper. Save the date — registration is required and will open soon.

Mother's Day Forest Bathing

Sunday, May 11 | 9 AM - 11 AM

Let us guide you in disconnecting from the digital world and reconnecting with nature during this mindfulness experience. Our suggested ticket price is $35 ($28 for FONA members), but please pay what you can to attend starting at $15.

Details & Registration >

Preserving Legacy: Part II. Cherry Blossom Conservation Workshop

Friday, March 21 | 1 PM

Come to the U.S. National Arboretum for an on-the-ground workshop on Japanese tree conservation practices. This event will be led by Master Gardener FUJIMOTO Kurato and assistant Hans Friedl. Participants will have the unique opportunity to engage with traditional tools and learn specialized techniques used to preserve legacy cherry blossom trees. 

Following the workshop, guests will be guided to the Exhibits Gallery within the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum for a curated tour of Sakura Orihon: Diary of a Cherry Blossom Journey. This annual exhibition features works by landscape architect and Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission award-winning artist Ron Henderson. 

Details & Registration >

Lahr Symposium

Saturday, March 29 | 9 AM - 4 PM

The U.S. National Arboretum will offer engaging presentations about both native plant gardens and native ecosystems later this month.

This course is hosted by the Arboretum, with registration support by FONA. Registration costs $95 ($76 for FONA members), but please pay what you can starting at $50. Any amount you pay over $50 directly supports the Arboretum’s Fern Valley Native Plant Collection.

Details & Waitlist >