This year’s Flowering 5K t-shirt showcases two flowering cherry tree cultivars the U.S. National Arboretum has bred and released into the American nursery industry. Prunus ‘Helen Taft’ was introduced in 2012, and is an early bloomer with large, pale pink flowers that darken in the center as the flower matures. It was named for First Lady Helen Taft, who championed the original 1912 flowering cherry tree plantings in Washington, D.C.’s Tidal Basin. Prunus ‘First Lady’ was introduced in 2003, and is also an early bloomer with vibrant, dark rose-pink flowers that hang downwards.

National Arboretum scientists maintain one of the most scientifically robust flowering cherry tree collections in the U.S., with more than 1,500 genetically diverse trees planted throughout the grounds. Due to the wide variety of more than 70 species, the Arboretum has a long cherry blossom season — often lasting through late April. The Flowering 5K is a great way to experience the Arboretum’s flowering cherry tree collection, as the course takes you right past cherry blossoms in bloom!

The Flowering 5K will be held on Sunday, March 22nd at 8:30 AM. Register now for the race to get one of these gorgeous t-shirts! Race t-shirts are included with each adult registration while supplies last. A 20% discount is available to all veterans, active duty, and reserve military members (email us for the discount code). All FONA members also receive a 20% discount as part of their member benefits (check the latest member newsletter for the discount code).

Register for the Race >

Later this week, FONA’s School Garden Support Program team will hold a Black History Month food tasting at Stanton and Hendley Elementary Schools. To savor and celebrate Black foodways, students will taste dishes like stewed okra and tomatoes, black-eyed pea salad, and greens with pot liquor. Read on for a spotlight on three crops that have become sources of nourishment, hope, and resilience in the Black diaspora:

Okra

While the exact place of origin of okra is uncertain, it has been cultivated across Africa for thousands of years. Okra was used as a food source for enslaved people, and holds a special place in African folklore — oral histories describe enslaved people hiding the seeds in their hair to carry with them to the Americas and Caribbean. On plantations, enslaved people sustained their communities by growing okra among other crops in their gardens. Over time, okra grew to play a prominent role in modern soul food, exemplified in dishes like fried, pickled, or stewed okra. Okra grows wonderfully in the DMV region and is a favorite in the Washington Youth Garden. The plant can reach over 6 feet tall, and in addition to the delicious pods, the flowers bring a lot of beauty into the summer garden.

Black-eyed Peas

West Africans domesticated wild relatives of the modern black-eyed pea some 6,000 years ago. Similarly to okra, black-eyed peas were brought as a food source for captives on the treacherous voyage across the Atlantic. Later, enslaved people cultivated black-eyed peas to feed themselves as well as livestock. In the late 19th century, botanist, inventor, and USDA collaborator George Washington Carver encouraged Black farmers in the American South to rotate black-eyed peas into their crops in order to revitalize the soil, improve yield, and boost economic outcomes. Today, black-eyed peas are popular in everything from soups to salads, but may be best known for their starring role in Hoppin’ John, a rice, pork, and pea dish served on New Year’s Day to bring luck in the year to come.

Collard Greens

While collard greens originated in Eurasia, they were brought to North America during the transatlantic slave trade. Leafy greens played a large role in West African cuisine, and enslaved people adapted their existing cooking techniques to incorporate collard greens into their diets. Collards are a hardy and versatile crop that became a staple in Black cuisine, often passed down through family recipes. Preparing collard greens is a communal effort, and a big pot of greens is a mainstay at community gatherings and celebratory occasions.

In 2016, seedkeeper and educator Ira Wallace started the Heirloom Collard Project to keep dozens of heirloom collard varieties alive that have been cultivated for generations by Black farmers and gardeners. The Washington Youth Garden has been partnering with the U.S. Botanic Garden and Seed Savers Exchange on the Heirloom Collard Project since 2024.

Learn More about Black Foodways >

Exciting news — a unique exhibit opens this weekend in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum’s Exhibits Gallery. Visit Sakura Orihon: Diary of a Cherry Blossom Journey between February 28th and March 29th. The exhibit will be open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM.

Plan Your Visit >

The exhibit centers on landscape architect Ron Henderson’s journey as he followed the blossoming cherry trees from south to north in Japan and recorded his experience in folding sketchbooks called orihon. His work celebrates the cherry blossom culture in Japan, highlighting his pilgrimages to visit famous old trees. He also focuses on the horticultural practices that extend the lives of cherry trees in Japan, illustrating pruning techniques, branch crutches, rope tenting, and root grafting. This exhibition of Henderson’s books inspires awe for the trees as well as appreciation for the unique way one man documented his journey.

Attend the District’s free conference for urban gardeners on Saturday, March 7th from 9 AM to 4 PM at Eastern Senior High School. The 19th annual Rooting DC provides education and community building around urban agriculture and food systems, with the goal of cultivating personal, community, and environmental wellbeing. FONA will exhibit at this event, so make sure to stop by! Registration is required.

Register for Rooting DC >

Events highlighted in purple have member perks like discounts and early access to registration. Donate any amount to become a FONA member!