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N° 324 — November 11, 2026
Enjoy regular updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and our award-winning Washington Youth Garden.
| | Get in the holiday spirit at the National Arboretum! This holiday season, FONA is excited to host two special events to help you connect with nature and community at the arboretum: | | | | |
Saturday, December 5th | 10 AM - 2 PM
Find the perfect gift at FONA's Holiday Market on Saturday, December 5th. The Holiday Market will take place from 10 AM to 2 PM in the National Arboretum Visitor Center. This unique plant- and garden-themed market will feature dozens of artisans selling locally made gifts. There will also be food trucks on site and holiday greenery available for purchase.
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Friday, November 27th - Sunday, December 6th
Shop for holiday trees, wreaths, and garlands from Almost Heavenly Christmas Trees at the National Arboretum. 10% of proceeds are donated directly to FONA through this important fundraiser. Fill your home with holiday greenery while supporting a great cause!
This year's Holiday Tree Sale will take place in the Grove parking lot on the following dates:
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- Friday, Nov. 27 – Sunday, Nov. 29: 11 AM – 5 PM
- Monday, Nov. 30 – Friday, Dec. 4: 2 PM – 7 PM
- Saturday, Dec. 5 – Sunday, Dec. 6: 11 AM – 5 PM
You can pre-order a tree for pickup at the arboretum during the sale, or have it delivered directly to your home. Pre-ordering is not required but guarantees you a great tree at the best price. When pre-ordering, please select "Friends of the National Arboretum" as the fundraising partner at checkout to ensure your purchase supports FONA.
Pre-Order Your Holiday Tree >
| | Volunteer at our Holiday Events | |
Help make our Holiday Market & Tree Sale merry and bright! We’re looking for friendly volunteers to welcome visitors, support our vendors, and spread a little holiday cheer throughout the festivities. The event will run from 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturday, December 5th, and you can volunteer for the duration of the event or take shorter shifts. FONA volunteers are an essential part of making our community events so special. Please sign up using the link below — we’d love to have you join us!
Sign up to Volunteer >
| | | A Spectacular 50th Anniversary | | |
This past weekend, we celebrated the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum’s 50th anniversary! Over 1,000 people came together to admire the artistry, natural beauty, and cultural impact of this living museum. At a special reception for dignitaries and strong supporters of the museum and the U.S. bonsai community, Ambassador Shigeo Yamada of Japan presented a special commendation celebrating the friendship the museum represents. At a science cafe on Saturday evening, arboretum scientists gave talks about the plant and soil science that explains the miniaturization of trees into bonsai. They also shared an exciting plan for the next 50 years — to add a scientific program to the bonsai collection. Click the link below to read a full recap of this amazing celebration.
Read the Full Reflection >
FONA is excited to help carry the legacy of the museum forward for the next 50 years! Thank you to all those who attended the celebration — you are a key part of this shared legacy. Please consider donating to support the collection’s continued care and the events and educational opportunities that reach thousands of visitors each year.
Make a Donation >
| | While most camellias typically flower in the spring, Camellia sasanqua blooms emerge as early as October, cheerfully competing with the spectacle of fall foliage. Sasanqua camellias have been favorites for much of human history, cultivated in China since at least the 8th century, in Japan since the 17th century, and in Europe since the end of the 19th century. | | | Their value extends beyond just their beauty, as the oil from their seeds can be used for cooking and soapmaking, and their petals are used in perfume. The common name and specific epithet “sasanqua” come from the Japanese name for the plant, pronounced sazanka. They tolerate drought and resist Phytophthora root rot quite well, but need shelter from cold, wind, and afternoon sun. Their growth habit can be a bit unruly, so some gardeners choose to prune their sasanqua camellias, though it is important to remember that the flowers form on old wood. Visit the Camellia Collection at the U.S. National Arboretum to enjoy the diversity of blooms on Camellia sasanqua. | | 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. | | |
See our calendar for a list of all of our upcoming events and programs. FONA supporters get perks like discounts and early access to registration.
Donate today!
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Holiday Tree Sale
November 27 - Dec 6
Times vary
Learn More >
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Holiday Market
Saturday, December 5
10 AM - 2 PM
Learn More >
| | FONA’s supporters are at the heart of our work. Donate today to help sustain FONA’s impact, or make a recurring monthly gift to ensure year-round support. Tax-smart giving options are also available. | | | | |
