Azalea peak bloom is upon us! The National Arboretum's Azalea Collections are a sight to behold this time of year. Peak bloom is expected to continue from now through the next week or two. Make sure to check them out when you attend the Garden Fair & Plant Sale on Saturday, April 26th! The collections will experience a second flush in May when the Satsuki azaleas bloom.

The Arboretum's Azalea Collections are not only beautiful, but also horticulturally significant. The Arboretum has developed and introduced 457 azalea cultivars into the American nursery industry. Many of these introductions can be found growing in the collection.

Learn More About the Collection >

The Arboretum's Azalea Collections receive a lot of visitors this time of year. Please keep these following things in mind when visiting this spring:

• Plan your weekend visit as early in the day as possible or visit on a weekday to avoid crowds.
• Please stay on trail paths and out of garden beds to avoid damaging valuable germplasm.
• Dogs must remain on leash at all times. Please keep them on trails and out of garden beds.
• Cars can park along the right side of Eagle Nest Road in front of the Azalea Collections while the temporary spring traffic plan is in effect. When parking along the road, please keep all four tires on the road. This not only protects the grass from damage, but also prevents cars from getting stuck in the soft ground. Car owners are responsible for towing their vehicles if they get stuck in the grass.

Get your shopping list ready — plant lists for next week's Garden Fair & Plant Sale are here! Whether you want to grow herbs on your apartment patio or outfit your yard with unique shade-loving perennials, the Plant Sale tent has great options at great prices. 100% of the proceeds from these particular plants directly support FONA's work at the Arboretum.

Check out the list of plants that our garden experts have ordered for this event, held on Saturday, April 26th:

• Annuals >
• Perennials >
• Shrubs/Trees >
• Collector's Corner >

Want the first pick from this amazing array of plants? FONA members get exclusive early access to the Plant Sale tent from 9 AM to 11 AM, in addition to other perks at the event. The Plant Sale tent will open to the public at 11 AM, and the Vendor Village will be open from 9 AM to 4 PM. Donate any amount to become a FONA member and shop early.

Donate to Join FONA >

Free plant sitting will be available until 4 PM so you can leave your purchased plants while you enjoy the rest of the event.

There is no event parking in the New York Avenue lot. Only cars picking up plants from plant sitting can drive into the event lot. All visitors must park at either the R Street parking lot near the Visitor Center or the Grove parking lot. A free shuttle service will be available between the parking lots and the event.

View an Event Map of the Grounds >

We would like to share our heartfelt gratitude for Cathy Kerkam, our Director of Philanthropy and Communications, who recently departed FONA for new opportunities. Cathy built an incredible development and communications program during her eight years at FONA. Her passion for plants and enthusiasm for the Arboretum established many new relationships for FONA and the National Arboretum. She grew the David Fairchild Society and the Heritage Society, two groups of highly dedicated FONA supporters. She also coordinated Dinner Under the Stars each year, an important fundraiser that convenes partners and public officials with an interest in horticultural research.

We are so thankful for Cathy’s contributions and the strong infrastructure she created at FONA. We miss her greatly, and wish her the best in her next role!

FONA's Board of Directors invite you to a special Spring Cocktail Reception in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum on Friday, April 25th from 6 PM to 8:30 PM. This fundraising event, held on the eve of FONA's Garden Fair & Plant Sale, is a great way to support the work of FONA and the U.S. National Arboretum. Tickets are selling quickly! Come enjoy light bites and delicious drinks in this one-of-a-kind collection.

Purchase a Ticket >

Halesia carolina is a lovely understory tree with white or pink bell-like flowers that are absolutely spectacular up close. The nectar-rich flowers feed hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, and the plant as a whole is a larval host for several butterfly and moth species. Carolina silverbell is native to the southeastern United States and is most populous in mountainous regions, which is why it is sometimes called mountain silverbell.

It generally grows in a multi-trunked form but can be trained into a single-trunk habit with early pruning. It is popular among woodworkers for its soft pink-and-white wood. Although it is often too small for any large projects, it can be used as a substitute for cherry wood. Look for Halesia carolina in its different forms in the Azalea Collections and in Fern Valley.

Kamala Codrington-White, an Agricultural Science Research Technician at the National Arboretum, shares plants of note at the Arboretum in this recurring segment. Find these plants on your next trip to the Arboretum. Photos by the National Arboretum.

Hone your golf skills for free, right next door to the National Arboretum! National Links Trust will host Free Lesson Fridays this year from April through September. The event will rotate each month between the Langston Golf Course in Northeast D.C. and East Potomac Golf Links in Southwest D.C.

The first Free Lesson Friday is next Friday, April 25th from 5 PM to 7 PM at the Langston Golf Course. All equipment is provided, and no experience is needed to participate. Registration is requested but not required.

Learn More & Register >

Spring Cocktails in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum

Friday, April 25, 6 PM - 8:30 PM

Evening event serving light bites and delicious drinks

Purchase a Ticket >

Garden Fair & Plant Sale

Saturday, April 26, 9 AM - 4 PM

Shop thousands of plants and local vendors

Learn More & Register >

Community Fishing

May 9, 5 PM - 8 PM

Free fishing along the Anacostia

Save the date — more info coming soon

Extended Evening Hours

May 9, May 30, June 20, 5 PM - 8 PM

Arboretum grounds day open to the public

Mother's Day Forest Bathing

Sunday, May 11, 9 AM - 11 AM

Meditation and mindfulness

Learn More & Register >