U.S. National Arboretum

Wild Things: The Art of Kusamono

June 19th 2026 - June 21st 2026

Where: Visitor Center/Administration Building and the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum’s Exhibits Gallery
When: 10am – 4pm

This three-day weekend event is devoted to the Japanese botanical art of kusamono. Discover how wild grasses, wildflowers, and other small native plants may be artistically arranged to suggest miniature representations of natural habitats. Often displayed alongside bonsai as an accent, kusamono stands on its

Wild Things: Kusamono Lecture & Demonstration with Young Choe

June 20th 2026 -

Where: Auditorium, Arboretum Visitor Center
When: 10:30am – 12pm

Appreciate native plants in an entirely new light during this presentation and demonstration by Young Choe, an accomplished kusamono artist and teacher. Kusamono is the traditional Japanese art of potted arrangements of wild herbaceous plants in unique containers. Each composition suggests a season and a habitat, such as a wetland, meadow, or woodland. Discover how

Wild Things: Kusamono Workshop with Young Choe

June 21st 2026 -

Where: Classroom, Arboretum Visitor Center
When: 1 – 3pm

Kusamono is the Japanese art of creating small, naturalistic plant compositions that celebrate the beauty of grasses, wildflowers and other seasonal plants. The Japanese word kusamono is comprised of two characters meaning “grass” and “thing”, referring to humble wild plants. Often displayed alongside bonsai as an accent, kusamono stands on its own as a complete

Waiting to be Discovered: A Viewing Stone Exhibit

June 27th 2026 - September 7th 2026

Where: Exhibits Gallery, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
When: 10am – 4pm daily

Viewing stone lovers find inspiration in the traditional stones found and displayed in China and Japan; however, when it comes collecting stones in this country many stones do not fit the classic traditions. These small natural objects encourage contemplation of larger landscape scenes, objects in nature, and abstract images. Challenge your imagination