A quick trip to Washington DC

Katie B at Chinese Bonsai Pavillion, USNA

I’m just back from a quick trip to Washington DC with my stepdaughter Katie.  We first stopped at the US National Arboretum to spend some time with the new director Richard Olsen, who shared his excitement about many of the exciting plans and projects underway at the people’s arboretum including the renovation of the Chinese bonsai pavilion. Virtually all of the projects and expansions are privately funded.

While it was exciting to hear that the future looks bright, it was equally shocking to see the horrific state of maintenance and weeding due to continuing Congressional budget cuts to the arboretum’s funding.  The Federal government seems to have no understanding of funding for maintenance.  It’s a sad reflection on our country for visitors from around the world to see our country’s National Arboretum like this. I hope you’ll join me in calling your representatives and voice your concern!

Arisaema ringens x heterophyllum at USNA 19647

One of the really interesting finds in the garden was a spontaneous jack in the pulpit hybrid…a cross of Arisaema heterophyllum and Arisaema ringens.  This is the first spontaneous arisaema hybrid that I’ve ever heard of.  We need this!

Then, it was off to speak at the International Pteridological Convention at the Smithsonian.  Over 250 fern researchers, half from outside the US, showed up to share their latest fern discoveries and research.  It was a great chance to meet so many amazing people.  Katie videotaped my talk and we’ll post it on our You Tube channel soon.

6 thoughts on “A quick trip to Washington DC”

  1. The renovation underway at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museums involves the Japanese Pavilion not the Chinese Pavilion. The Japanese Pavilion is the original structure built in 1976 to house the original bicentennial gift of 53 bonsai from Japan.

      1. There are current issues with the Chinese Pavilion, but the 2 million dollar campaign to renovate the Japanese Pavilion is the main focus of fundraising by the National Bonsai Foundation. We have currently raised 1.8 million towards that goal.

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