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N° 292 — April 1, 2026

Enjoy regular updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and our award-winning Washington Youth Garden.

Director's Corner

Dear Friends,

Over the years, my family has built traditions around the seasons. We get ready to go back to school in the fall with a hike to pop some jewelweed seed pods, and pay more attention to the arrival of skunk cabbage than the groundhog’s shadow as we look forward to each spring.

One of the traditions I’m excited to add to my family’s annual calendar is FONA’s Garden Fair. The Garden Fair & Plant Sale has been one of FONA’s longest-held traditions. FONA hosted the first Garden Fair in 1989, promising “several thousand azaleas in small and inexpensive sizes, plus wildflowers and some herbaceous perennials.”

Over the years, the Garden Fair has grown in size and scale. Yet the heart of the Garden Fair has always remained the same: it is the community that comes together to revel in spring and find some great plants to enjoy throughout the year. It is also the choice to purchase plants that help fuel FONA’s work celebrating the science, beauty, and community impact of the U.S. National Arboretum.

If you haven’t already, we hope that you will make the Garden Fair one of your traditions. We look forward to seeing you at this year’s Garden Fair & Plant Sale on Saturday, April 25th.

The first Garden Fair announcement in the March/April 1989 edition of FONA news. Click to enlarge.

With gratitude,

Jeanne

Jeanne Braha

Executive Director

“Stumpy” Trees are Alive and Well!

Plant material from “Stumpy,” the hollow but resilient Yoshino cherry tree removed from Washington, D.C.’s Tidal Basin in 2024, has been successfully propagated by the U.S. National Arboretum. The new trees are healthy and flowering for the first time this spring. The “Stumpy” trees will be carefully maintained at the Arboretum until the National Park Service is ready to receive them for planting, as early as next spring.

While the “Stumpy” trees are not on public display, visitors are encouraged to use the USNA’s self-guided cherry tree tour, “Beyond the Tidal Basin,” to visit the 70+ cherry tree varieties planted throughout the grounds of the Arboretum — many of which are in bloom right now!

Photo Courtesy of the U.S. National Arboretum

Read More About the “Stumpy” Propagations >

Garden Fair & Plant Sale

Our Garden Fair & Plant Sale on Saturday, April 25th is FONA's largest event of the year! It runs from 9 AM to 4 PM in the New York Avenue parking lot, with a free shuttle available to transport visitors from other lots around the Arboretum to the event.

This year's event will feature 25+ vendors selling plants, gardening supplies, home goods, food, and beverages. DC Child Care Connections will offer free family activities during part of the day.

FONA will also sell thousands of plants in our Plant Sale tent, which is run by FONA and a group of dedicated volunteers. 100% of the proceeds from these particular plants support FONA's work at the Arboretum. FONA members get early access to the Plant Sale tent from 9 AM to 11 AM, before the tent opens to the public. Donate any amount to become a member and shop early!

Register for the Garden Fair & Plant Sale >

FONA's Other Upcoming Events

With spring now fully underway, we are excited to add new event registrations to our upcoming calendar. FONA members get early registration access and discounted registration for many of our events and programs. Donate any amount to become a member.

Hop-On Shuttle Saturdays & Food Trucks

April 4, April 11, April 18, May 2 | 10 AM - 4 PM

Price: $5

Members ride for free on April 18!

Hop on and off FONA’s shuttle to explore collections with ease — no driving and re-parking necessary! Docents will share information about the Arboretum at many of the stops. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time or on site. Dos Carnales and Frosty Softy food trucks will sell food near the Visitor Center during Hop-On Shuttle Saturdays.

Purchase a Shuttle Ticket >

Volunteer at the National Arboretum

Weekly opportunities starting April 4

Price: Free

Support FONA's visitor programs and the Washington Youth Garden. Learn more at FONA's Volunteer Open House in the Washington Youth Garden on Saturday, April 4th. U.S. National Arboretum volunteer opportunities are also available to support the archives and living collections.

Learn More & Sign Up for Volunteer Opportunities >

Photo by Michael Murphy on Unsplash

Bird Walks - NEW

Saturdays, May 2, May 9, May 16 | 9 AM - 11 AM

Price: Free (donation is requested)

Spot birds alongside spring blossoms! Learn about bird behavior and identification tips from experienced guides from the DC Bird Alliance.

See Upcoming Dates & Register >

Mother's Day Forest Bathing - NEW

Sunday, May 10 | 9 AM - 11 AM

Price: $35

Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of nature at the National Arboretum during this guided mindfulness experience.

Learn More & Register >

Photo by Lissa Ryan Photography

Spring Soirée - NEW

Friday, May 29 | 6 PM - 9 PM

Price: $350

Join FONA's Board of Directors for light bites and delicious drinks in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. This is more than a cocktail party — it's a chance to meaningfully support FONA's work at the Arboretum.

Purchase a Ticket >

Photo by Zak Khaliqi

Music in the Meadow: Sirius Company - NEW

Friday, June 5 | 7 PM - 9 PM

Price: $25

Celebrate the end of the school year with classic R&B and go-go music from Sirius Company. Food trucks will sell food near the Visitor Center during this event.

Purchase a Concert Ticket >

Other Spring Events at the National Arboretum

Ikebana International Exhibit

April 3 - 12 | 10 AM - 4 PM

Price: Exhibit and demonstrations are free, children's workshop is $20

Marvel at beautiful flower arrangements at the National Arboretum at this exhibition held by the Washington D.C. Chapter of Ikebana International. Explore a variety of Ikebana styles on display, and don’t miss the free demonstrations from master teachers or the children's workshop!

Learn More About the Exhibit >

World Bonsai Day & Potomac Bonsai Festival

May 8 - 9 | 9 AM - 4 PM

May 10 | 9 AM - 3 PM

Price: Free, with some ticketed experiences

Celebrate World Bonsai Day at this spectacular festival held by the Potomac Bonsai Association and the U.S. National Arboretum. This weekend will include special bonsai displays, free demonstrations, children’s activities, interactive workshops, docent-led tours of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, and food trucks.

Learn More About the Festival >

Azalea Bonsai: Putting on the Glitz

May 16 - 31 | 10 AM - 4 PM

Colorful cultivars of late-blooming Satsuki azaleas have been hybridized in Japan for hundreds of years. This annual exhibit showcases the National Arboretum’s most spectacular examples in a two-week indoor display. Based on individual bloom times, trees may be on display in the outdoor pavilions before and after the indoor exhibit.

All photos courtesy of the National Arboretum

The National Arboretum is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM except December 25th. Last admittance onto the grounds is at 4:30 PM.

Check Our Website for Full Details >

As a member-based organization, FONA’s supporters are at the heart of our work. Donate any amount to join or renew your membership for one year. Or make a recurring monthly donation and become a Sustaining Member to support our work all year long. Many tax-smart donation options are also available.

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