About the Arboretum
Our History
The U.S. National Arboretum is a collections-based research facility and public garden of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It was established by the National Arboretum Act, signed into law by President Calvin Coolidge on March 4, 1927. In 1953, the National Arboretum was incorporated into USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. The Arboretum hosts the world’s first museum dedicated to the art of bonsai, the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, established in 1976.
Public Gardens
The display gardens at the National Arboretum grew organically from our early research interests into specific plant groups and collaborations with garden clubs and plant societies into comprehensive collections focused on plant groups important to American landscapes and on important, botanically rich temperate flora. Examples of the latter include the Asian Collections, highlighting plants from China, Korea, and Japan, and Fern Valley, our collection of eastern North American native plants in a scenic woodland settling.
The Azalea collections demonstrate the breadth and depth of diversity amongst azaleas and their relatives and showcase the Arboretum’s contributions to the development of modern, hybrid evergreen azaleas. The Dogwood, Gotelli Conifer, Holly and Magnolia, and Boxwood collections draw attention to these important nursery crops, which are augmented with complementary plantings for year-round appeal.
The National Herb Garden is a highly curated display of herbs from around the world in theme gardens and a cottage-style design filled with companion plantings, including heritage roses. The iconic National Capitol Columns create a picturesque landmark in the heart of the Arboretum.
Location
Northeast Washington, D.C., with entrances on R Street NE and New York Avenue NE. There are additional (non-public) research locations in Beltsville, Maryland, and McMinnville, Tennessee.
Size
451 acres of rolling forested terrain, including Mt. Hamilton—offering commanding views of the Capitol from one of the city’s highest points—expansive meadows, and the restored Spring House Run riparian habitat. Nine miles of winding roadways and many more paths connect the gardens and natural areas across the grounds.
Annual Visitation
Over 710,000
Budget
Federal Appropriation for FY24: $15,105,919
Support Organizations
The Friends of the National Arboretum is our principal private, nonprofit partner and participates in joint programming and administration of events and activities. Additional partners include the National Bonsai Foundation, the Herb Society of America, Ikebana International Chapter No. 1, National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc., and the Woman’s National Farm & Garden Association.
Staff
66
Volunteers
Over 70, working in all areas of the Arboretum.
Interns
We support internships in horticulture, research, and education. Funding comes from federal appropriations, nonprofit, and private donations.
Research
The Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit has a broad-based program supporting basic and developmental research and implementation of new technologies for the florist and nursery industries. Emphasis is on developing new floral, nursery, and turf plants; detecting and controlling pathogens in ornamental plants; taxonomy of ornamental plants; improvements of nursery production systems; and curation of woody landscape plant germplasm as part of the National Plant Germplasm System.
Education
Public education programs, including symposia, lectures, workshops and demonstrations; plant, flower, and art exhibitions; interpretive materials; group tours; and public relations.
Publications
Over 65 scientific articles in professional and trade journals in the last three years. Various program aids for visitors.
Plant Introductions
684 official plant releases. Nine patents and two EPA biopesticide registrations.
Cooperative Programs
American Public Gardens Association, Arizona State University, Atlanta Botanical Garden, Botanic Garden Conservation International, National Turfgrass Federation, North Carolina State University, Ohio University, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Tennessee State University, Texas A&M University, University of Nebraska, and Virginia Tech.
International Cooperation
Australia, Belgium, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Herbarium Collections
Permanent reference collection of 700,000 specimens of dried, pressed plants for scientific studies in agriculture, horticulture, botany, medicine, and other related fields. Contains plants from around the world, with a special emphasis on cultivated plants. Especially well represented groups include azaleas (Rhododendron), cherries (Prunus), hollies (Ilex(), oaks (Quercus), viburnums (Viburnum), and willows (Salix).
The National Seed Herbarium contains an additional 120,000 samples of preserved seeds and fruits. It is used primarily as a reference for plant identification by researchers and federal agencies.
Page last updated September 2024.