The ARS-developed variegated beautyberry
‘Duet' is part of a new exhibit that has opened at the U.S. National
Arboretum. Photo courtesy of U.S. National Arboretum.
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Arboretum Opens New "Living Garden Catalog"
Exhibit
By Stephanie
Yao
June 1, 2009 The
U.S.
National Arboretum has teamed up with the horticulture industry to feature
plants new to American horticulture in an exhibit that opens today at the
facility operated by the Agricultural
Research Service (ARS) in Washington, D.C.
Located at the arboretum's Visitors Center and the surrounding Introduction
Garden, the "Living Garden Catalog" puts a twist on the traditional
plant catalogs gardeners often receive in the mail. Informational posters that
resemble catalog pages for each of the featured plants are set up in the lobby.
Visitors can then view these plants, some of which are being displayed in
public for the first time, in the garden outside.
The exhibit features a variety of plants ranging from bedding annuals and
perennial plants to shrubs and trees. The hummingbird-attracting Croftway
series of cape fuchsia, the "Siam Ruby" banana plant with its
striking red leaves, and the shimmering "Gold Dust" variegated
rosemary are just a few of the industry plants on display.
There are also several plants specifically developed by ARS scientists in
the exhibit. Visitors can view the white berries of the variegated beautyberry
"Duet," the colorful flowers of several trumpet vines, and
Iochroma plants "Sky King" and "Royal Blue," which also
attract hummingbirds. The popular ornamental pepper "Black Pearl" and
the recently released crape myrtle 'Arapaho' are on display as well.
The Introduction Garden also showcases the latest trends in plants and
styles of gardening. Other areas of the garden feature plants that tolerate
drought and exciting container garden combinations that shine in the hottest
summer weather. Many plants are tested every year at the arboretum, and the
Living Garden Catalog is an expanded effort to test many more new plants than
ever before.
The exhibit runs from today through early October. The U.S. National
Arboretum is located in northeast Washington and is home to more than 100 acres
of plant collections and gardens. Visit the Arboretum's Web site—http://www.usna.usda.gov/—for more
information and directions.
ARS is the principal intramural scientific research agency of the
U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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