Thank you to everyone who attended our Music in the Meadow concert last Friday! Over 1,000 people came out to listen to Buck Forty Nine's wonderful tunes and bask in a summer sunset at the National Arboretum.

This free event was made possible thanks to funding from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Thank you to all of the attendees who made an additional donation to FONA to support our work and help us provide free events like this one. We are also incredibly grateful to Zak Khaliqi, who donated his time and talents to photograph the concert.

Want another magical musical experience at the National Arboretum? Join us on Friday, September 5th at 7 PM for our next Music in the Meadow concert! Rock out at the National Arboretum and celebrate the spirit of the National Herb Garden's rock music garden theme.

The Route 66 Band will play a medley of classic rock songs inspired by plants growing in the Herb Garden, like ‘Purple Rain’ peppers and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ sunflowers. You can also explore a “musical instrument petting zoo”, see instruments crafted from plants, and enjoy food and beer from local vendors.

Paid tickets are required to attend this event. General admission costs $25, or $20 for FONA members (members, email us for the discount code). A limited number of community discount tickets are available for $15. Children aged 12 and under can attend for free, but they must have a ticket.

Purchase a Concert Ticket >

This year, the National Herb Garden is celebrating the vibrant world of herbs that rock, as well as those that inspire us to rock. Our new Stories from the Field article dives into the Herb Garden's rock ('n roll) garden theme, the inspiration behind it, and the musical connection behind some of the plants growing in it.

While FONA's September concert will bring some of these connections to life, visitors can explore the garden throughout the year and discover the exhibit for themselves. Erin Holden, a staff gardener in the Herb Garden and the mastermind behind this year's exhibit, even created a companion playlist on Spotify. Give it a listen and try to find each plant on the list in the Herb Garden.

Read Stories from the Field >

This Friday's summer evening hours are made possible by a donation from the Cheverly Garden Club, which has been beautifying Cheverly since 1954.

Grab a bite to eat during from your Friday evening adventures from Cousins Maine Lobster. They will serve up delicious New England style seafood on Friday, August 1st from 5 PM to 7:30 PM on Meadow Road near the Visitor Center.

View the Food Truck's Menu >

Don't miss your chance to find your evening zen at the National Arboretum this summer. Surround yourself with soothing harmonies at a sound bathing event, held on Tuesday August 12th and August 26th. Or find your balance during a yoga class, held on Wednesday August 6th and August 20th.

Register for Sound Bathing >

Register for Yoga >

Buttonbush is a distinctive native shrub with spherical clusters of tiny tubular flowers that resemble pincushions. This honey plant blooms in summer with creamy-white globes providing abundant nectar to bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and moths. There are two subspecies of Cephalanthus occidentalis: Cephalanthus occidentalis var. occidentalis native to eastern North America and Cephalanthus occidentalis var. californicus native to southwestern North America. Both thrive in moist soils, tolerate standing water, and can be found growing in wetlands and along shorelines. Waterfowl and shorebirds eat buttonbush seeds and build nests under its protective branches.

Cephalanthus occidentalis is a popular choice among gardeners for its fragrant flowers and tolerance of wet or compact soils, erosion, heat, deer browsing, and shade. It can also be used to stabilize stream banks or other moist slopes. Look for it in the Fern Valley Native Plant Collection and along Springhouse Run at the U.S. National Arboretum.

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.

Summer Evening Hours

June 1 - August 30, 5 PM - 8 PM

Arboretum grounds stay open to the public

Important Evening Hours Details >

Food Truck Friday: Cousins Maine Lobster

Friday, August 1, 5 PM - 7:30 PM

Serving New England style seafood

Evening Yoga

Select Wednesdays, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

August 6, August 20

Outdoor yoga for all skill levels

Class Schedule & Registration >

Food Truck Friday: Dos Carnales

Friday, August 8, 3 PM - 7:30 PM

Serving Mexican cuisine

Evening Sound Bathing

Select Tuesdays, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

August 12, August 26

Refresh your mind with soothing soundscapes

Class Schedule & Registration >

Dog Days Meetup

Thursday, August 14, time TBD

Casual meetup during evening hours

Food Truck Friday: Arni's Kitchen

Friday, August 15, 5 PM - 7:30 PM

Serving Indonesian cuisine

Carnivorous Plant & Bog Garden Workshop

Saturday, August 16, 2 PM - 4 PM

Learn how to care for and build a bog garden

Learn More & Register >

Dog Days Meetup

Thursday, August 21, time TBD

Casual meetup during evening hours

Food Truck Friday: Taco Dirty To Me

Friday, August 22, 5 PM - 7:30 PM

Serving fusion tacos

Dog Days Celebration

Wednesday, August 27, time TBD

Photo contest winner will be announced

Music in the Meadow: Rock Garden

Friday, September 5, 7 PM - 8:30 PM

Paid outdoor concert with classic rock vibes

Purchase a Ticket >

Dinner Under the Stars

Tuesday, September 9, 5:30 PM - 9 PM

Unforgettable evening of connection & impact

Learn More & Purchase a Ticket >