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May

Potomac Bonsai Festival
May 2, 10:00am-5:00pm
May 3, 10:00am-5:00pm
May 4, 10:00am-5:00pm
National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Arboretum Grounds

The National Arboretum in partnership with the Potomac Bonsai Association and the National Bonsai Foundation presents the 2008 Potomac Bonsai Festival from Friday, May 2 through Sunday, May 4.

Exhibits of bonsai trees owned by members of the Potomac Bonsai Association will be on display in the Arboretum’s Administration Building from 10:00am until 5:00pm, and from the permanent collection of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum from 10:00am until 4:00pm each day. A sales tent offering bonsai, pots, and related bonsai accessories from a variety of bonsai vendors* will be open on Friday May 2, from 10:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am to 5:00pm. This annual sale offers novice and expert bonsai enthusiasts the opportunity to purchase high quality bonsai at reasonable prices.
      [* Bonsai Supply; Clarke Bonsai; Gardens Unlimited; Lang Bonsai; Little Trees Bonsai; Nature’s Way; Meehan’s Miniatures; Osiga]

On Saturday, from 10:00am to 4:00pm, the arboretum will be selling bonsai books and magazines that have been declared surplus. These are items that duplicate what is already in the library collection. They range from de-accessioned library copies to out-of-print collectibles. The sale is located in the Administration Building lobby.

This year’s festival features two world class bonsai artists who will share their knowledge and skills of the horticultural and design principles used in training bonsai, such as choosing the front of the tree, training the tree through wiring, pruning techniques, and soil requirements during a series of free demonstrations open to festival participants.

Mr. Shinichi Nakajima from Japan will do demonstrations featuring a large juniper bonsai on Saturday, May 3 at 1:00pm and Sunday, May 4 at 12:00pm. Mr. Shinichi Nakajima is President of the Nippon Bonsai Growers’ Association. He began his bonsai training as a boy under the direction of his father Tsuneichi Nakajima, a bonsai master, and became a member of the board of directors of Nippon Bonsai Growers’ Association in 1979. Mr. Nakajima was one of the first bonsai instructors certified by Nippon Bonsai Association in 1981. He has been teaching and lecturing worldwide on the beauty of bonsai and its artistic value since 1985 and appeared on NHK, the Japan Broadcasting Network, as a bonsai instructor for several years.

Ms. Cheryl Manning from California will do a demonstration featuring a small black pine bonsai on Saturday, May 3, at 11:00am. Ms. Cheryl Manning began her bonsai training in 1981 in California, studying with bonsai masters John Naka, Ben Oki, Harry Hirao, and Jim Barrett. Ms. Manning was selected by John Naka to join Nampu Kai Club, a prestigious bonsai study group founded by Mr. Naka. Ms. Manning has written numerous articles for many bonsai publications including Journal of the American Bonsai Society and Bonsai Today and edited John Naka’s Sketchbook. In 1994 she completed a one-year apprenticeship with bonsai master Yasuo Mitsuya in Toyohashi, Japan and has the unique distinction of being one of only two women outside of Japan to receive this prestigious internship.
Admission to the festival is free.

Walk & Talk: Azalea Collection Tours
May 9, 10:00am-12:00pm
May 11, 10:00am-12:00pm (Bring Mom – it’s Mother’s Day!)   FULL
Arboretum Grounds

Amid a glorious spring display, learn about the origins of azaleas from the collection’s curator. Pick up expert advice on growing azaleas and discover how the arboretum has developed new plants for gardeners worldwide. Fee $19 ($16 FONA) Registration required.

Rhododendron Show
May 10, 10:00am-4:00pm
Administration Building

The Potomac Valley Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society presents its annual display of a multitude of rhododendron varieties in full bloom. Expert rhododendron growers will be present to answer questions. Free.

Spring Kusamono Exhibit & Demonstration
May 10-May 18, 10:00am-4:00pm
National Bonsai & Penjing Museum

Kusamono are potted arrangements of wild grasses and flowers in unique containers that accompany formal displays of bonsai or viewing stones. A free lecture and demonstration by kusamono artist Young Choe will be held on Saturday, May 10, from 1:00-2:30pm. Free.

Introduction to Bonsai
May 17, 10:00am-3:30pm   FULL
National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Lecture/Demonstration Center

Designed for the beginner and taught by National Bonsai & Penjing Museum staff, this class will introduce students to the horticultural and aesthetic elements of creating a bonsai. Plant, pot, and soil are provided. Bring your lunch for a noon break. Fee $119 ($95 FONA/NBF) Registration required.

Full Moon Hike
May 18, 8:00pm-10:00pm   FULL
May 19, 8:00pm-10:00pm   FULL
May 20, 8:00pm-10:00pm   FULL
Arboretum Grounds

This five-mile-long, mildly strenuous hike is a magical trip through moonlit gardens, meadows and woods. Discover how the striking landscape of the arboretum changes under the moon and stars of the night sky. Your guide will share points of special interest and seasonal highlights. This is a brisk walk over often hilly and uneven terrain, so wear good walking shoes. Held rain or shine. Not recommended for children. Fee $19 ($15 FONA) Registration required.

Azalea Bonsai Exhibit
May 24-June 8, 10:00am-4:00pm
National Bonsai & Penjing Museum

Satsuki and Kurume azaleas trained as bonsai provide masses of full-size, multi-colored flowers in this annual exhibit. Free.

Make & Take: Kusamono Workshop
May 31, 1:00pm-3:00pm
National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Lecture/Demonstration Center

Kusamono are potted arrangements of wild grasses and flowers in unique containers that accompany formal displays of bonsai or viewing stones. Kusamono artist Young Choe will teach this introductory workshop on this bonsai-related art form. Ceramic container and all materials will be provided. Fee $49 ($40 FONA/NBF) Registration required.

Under The Arbor: “Good Scents”
May 31, 1:00pm-4:00pm
National Herb Garden

Members of the Philadelphia Unit of the Herb Society of America host this drop-in demonstration featuring the art of making of tussie-mussies. Popular in Victorian times, a tussie-mussie, or nosegay, is a small, round bouquet made from a cluster of fresh, fragrant herbs. Informal family programs are held “under the arbor” in the National Herb Garden four times per year. Free.

June

Full Moon Hike
June 15, 8:00pm-10:00pm   FULL
June 16, 8:00pm-10:00pm   FULL
June 17, 8:00pm-10:00pm   FULL
Arboretum Grounds

This five-mile-long, mildly strenuous hike is a magical trip through moonlit gardens, meadows and woods. Discover how the striking landscape of the arboretum changes under the moon and stars of the night sky. Your guide will share points of special interest and seasonal highlights. This is a brisk walk over often hilly and uneven terrain, so wear good walking shoes. Held rain or shine. Not recommended for children. Fee $19 ($15 FONA) Registration required.

Power Plants Exhibit the U.S. National Arboretum
Opens June 21 8:00am-5:00pm
Arboretum Grounds

On Saturday, June 21st the Arboretum opens Power Plants, a walk-through garden showcasing a variety of plants offering a diverse array of alternative energy possibilities. Visitors will learn about sustainable agriculture-based renewable energy sources during their tour of the exhibit. The day opening festivities for the exhibit will include informal reception free and open to visitors following the official ribbon cutting ceremony opening the garden . Power Plants will continue to be on display at the Arboretum through the fall.

The opening of the Power Plants exhibits coincides with Bio Energy Awareness Days (BEAD II), a series of programs presented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to increase awareness and knowledge about alternative sources of energy and offer information on the how efficient use and conservation of energy benefits rural communities and the nation.

Visitors to the Power Plants Exhibit can also tour an exhibit tent featuring presentations created by college and university teams from throughout the United States depicting a wide range of agriculture-based and natural resource-based renewable energy topics. The exhibits, part of the BEAD II schedule of programs, will be on display Friday, May 20 through Sunday, June 22. Representatives from participating academic institutions will be on hand to discuss their entries and answer questions about their exhibits.

For more information on the entire schedule of BEAD II events taking place in the Washington area, click here.

July

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Last Updated   May 9, 2008 10:16 AM
URL = http://www.usna.usda.gov/Education/events.html