Fall at the US National Arboretum

Washington is alive with color and much of it is at the United States National Arboretum.  Today I attended a class on winterizing bonsai and had an opportunity to go behind the scenes (on the other side of those doors marked "STAFF ONLY") at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum and enjoyed a walk around the grounds.

bald cypress (bonsai collection)

bonsai collection

My lesson for the day:   take advantage of opportunities to learn and you will be richly rewarded.  Not only was the class interesting, but I got there in record time, had a fantastic parking place (no small feat on a busy Saturday) and the fall colors were amazing --from the tiniest bonsai to the japanese maples and the groves of maples, oaks, sycamore and more.  What a gift, what a day!

Peony Envy

US National Arboretum, Peony Collection

Recently I visited the US National Arboretum, one of my favorite spots.  In addition to walking through the azalea gardens,  empty of admirers because most had peaked and had only wilted flowers, we saw the boxwood gardens and adjacent perennial gardens featuring peonies. 

US National Arboretum, Peony Collection

While I loved seeing the beautiful peonies, it made me envious and a little annoyed because they were excessively beautiful.  There were so many of different varieties and colors.  I was star-struck and coveted the collection.

US National Arboretum, Peony Collection

I didn’t grow up with peonies and until the last couple of years, I never paid much attention to them.  Perhaps that is because I have had so much more time to open my eyes and enjoy the spring or maybe it's an aging thing.   

Puny Peony in Falls Church

There is a peony bush tucked in the back of a partially-shaded flower bed in my garden.  It never blooms and doesn't grow much.  In 13 years it hasn't changed size but it always comes back.   I think it is a puny peony.   Like some people, and animals, it just isn’t up to the challenge of blooming and instead puts out its greens and does no more.  It lives; it does not thrive.

My peony

A few years ago I purchased three peony tubers in the spring and planted them in a sunny spot in the garden.  They barely had any leaves that first year (I have since found out it is best to plant peonies in the fall).  The second year I had completely forgotten about them and was surprised to see them emerge from the cold earth late in the spring; again, no blooms.

My Peony

This year I had quite a surprise.  One of the three peony bushes put out two blooms.  They were not big gorgeous blooms like what you see at the National Arboretum or in my neighbors’ yards, but the color is beautiful and they lasted about a week.  I don’t know about the two smaller bushes; maybe next year will be the year for their to peak (or peek?).

Friend's Peonies

Meanwhile my dear neighbor and friend has brought me cuttings from her voluptuous peonies and on my morning walks with the dog I see the peonies of others in the neighborhood, all beautiful, full and enormous.  Mine pale in comparison.  It must be the lack of full sun in my yard.  Or maybe they need to be fed.

US National Arboretum, Peony Collection

There is a lot to be said for shade in the summer months, but it makes it hard to grow some things – like jealousy-inducing peonies.  So I continue to be envious right now that everyone else's peonies outshine mine and remain gorgeous as my two little blooms lose their leaves. 

Sometimes you just have to work with and appreciate the resources you have.  My shade-loving hostas are gorgeous and enormous, and soon will have their fragrant beautiful flowers; my azaleas were full and brilliant this year; the bleeding hearts are to be coveted; the rhododendron are stunning; and soon my hydrangeas in dark pink, brilliant blue and deep purple will be blooming and ready to cut and share.  

US National Arboretum, Peony Collection

It seems there are lessons everywhere these days.  Peonies are good teachers.  Envy is not a particularly attractive trait and really I don't consider my problem with peony envy a serious personality flaw.  Rather it is an opportunity to reflect, examine my actions (maybe I should try feeding them and move the puny one to a sunny spot), rejoice for the beauty I am so fortunate to be able to enjoy, and wait patiently for the wonders unfolding in other parts of my garden as summer progresses.  No matter how gorgeous and prolific my perennials and bushes are, I promise I will never mention that mine are bigger than yours!

Visit the peony collection at the United States National Arboretum! 

Best In Show - Orchids at the US National Arboretum

This weekend at the US National Arboretum in Washington, DC, the National Capital Orchid Society is presenting the 62nd Orchid Show and Sale. The show runs through October 12.


Hundreds of incredibly beautiful orchids are on display and for sale.  It is a show worth seeing, and an opportunity to explore the vast grounds of the Arboretum, enjoy the cooler weather, and see the colors of fall beginning to settle in.  

Many outstanding plants were laden with ribbons and commendations.  What struck me is that orchids, like people, have beauty that may be subtle or overwhelmingly powerful.  But they are all beautiful in unique ways.

With orchids, beauty may indeed be only skin deep.  It lasts such a short time before the plant, which is generally not very attractive, sheds its blossoms and puts all of its energy into producing flowers the next time - often a year away.

Choosing a best in show was impossible for me; the judges clearly had guidelines to go by that I was not aware of.

The more I saw, the more they started reminding me of fairies, cartoon characters and aliens. They have distinct characteristics that are unusual and sometimes comical. Most often they looked to me like fairy princesses with skinny little arms and southern belle ball gowns.


These photographs highlight only a few of the beauties.  Which do you think is the best in show?