This course is hosted by the U.S. National Arboretum, with registration support by Friends of the National Arboretum. This course is offered in partnership with Potomac Bonsai Association and Old Dominion Chrysanthemum Society.

The horticultural perfection of a bonsai does not have to take decades to accomplish. The chrysanthemum can be artfully shaped into a bonsai within one growing season. This Bonsai Basics course is a series of five classes. Participants meet about once a month for lectures and demonstrations, beginning on Saturday, May 4th and concluding on Saturday, November 2nd.

This course is hosted by the Arboretum, with registration support by FONA. Registration costs $200 for the entire course. FONA members, use your discount code to receive 20% off. Register soon, spots are limited and this event fills quickly!

REGISTRATION

At registration, students will select from one of four small groups that meet on different dates and times. With no more than ten students in each, these groups allow for individualized attention from the instructors. All students will meet jointly for the first and last lessons. There is no variation in course content among the groups.

Group schedules are listed below. Students may not switch small groups during the course. If a group is not available when you register, that group is full. There is no waitlist for individual small groups, only the course as a whole.

Group A
Saturday, May 4 (1 PM – 4 PM)
Saturday, June 15 (10 AM – 12 PM)
Saturday, August 3 (10 AM – 12 PM)
Saturday, September 21 (10 AM – 12 PM)
Saturday, November 2 (1 PM – 4 PM)

Group B
Saturday, May 4 (1 PM – 4 PM)
Saturday, June 15 (1 PM – 3 PM)
Saturday, August 3 (1 PM – 3 PM)
Saturday, September 21 (1 PM – 3 PM)
Saturday, November 2 (1 PM – 4 PM)

Group C
Saturday, May 4 (1 PM – 4 PM)
Sunday, June 16 (10 AM – 12 PM)
Sunday, August 4 (10 AM – 12 PM)
Sunday, September 22 (10 AM – 12 PM)
Saturday, November 2 (1 PM – 4 PM)

Group D
Saturday, May 4 (1 PM – 4 PM)
Sunday, June 16 (1 PM – 3 PM)
Sunday, August 4 (1 PM – 3 PM)
Sunday, September 22 (1 PM – 3 PM)
Saturday, November 2 (1 PM – 4 PM)

Presented by Ikebana International, Washington, D.C. Chapter No. 1
U.S. National Arboretum
April 12 - 21, 10 am - 4 pm
Free and open to the public

Special Events:

• Free Live Demonstrations on April 13, 14, 20, 21 from 1 - 2 pm

• Ikebana for Kids Workshop on April 21 from 1 -2 :30 pm (Need Prior Registration)

Ikebana International, Washington D.C. Chapter No. 1 will host its annual exhibition at the U.S. National Arboretum. The exhibition will demonstrate the creativity and artistry of their members in arrangements representing several different schools of ikebana.  There will also be live demonstrations showcasing ikebana styles of four different schools. 

Shape your own flowering bonsai in a single growing season.

The horticultural perfection of a bonsai does not have to take decades to accomplish. The chrysanthemum can be artfully shaped into a bonsai within one growing season. Register for a series of five chrysanthemum bonsai classes, beginning on World Bonsai Day, Saturday, May 13th, 2023, and produce a styled, blooming chrysanthemum bonsai by November.

This Bonsai Basics is a course for beginners and intermediates, consisting of five classes beginning May 13 and ending November 4. A maximum of 40 students will meet all together for the first and last class for lectures and demonstrations. In between, students attend three, two-hour classes in small groups of 10 for more intensive teaching by curatorial staff of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.

Participants will learn the basics of watering, wiring, pinching, pruning, potting, and displaying chrysanthemum bonsai. While these principles also apply to bonsai that are traditional woody tree species, using the chrysanthemum allows students to see the results of their pruning, wiring, and other work, within only a few months instead of after years of training. When cared for correctly, these “gnome” species of chrysanthemums, bred for their small flower and leaf size, will bloom heavily in the fall, providing students with an opportunity to present their personally designed,flowering bonsai in an all-group display. This course is offered in partnership with Potomac Bonsai Association and Old Dominion Chrysanthemum Society.

Program Prerequisite Requirements:
Participants must be 12 years of age or older and have access to an outdoor growing area with a minimum of 6 hours of direct sun per day.

Course Fee: $150 for all 5 classes

For more details on course materials, schedule and how to register, click here.

Exhibits Gallery, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum

This exhibit showcases the best bonsai from members of the Potomac Bonsai Association in formal displays. It will be on view for the public during the Potomac Bonsai Festival and will continue through the following weekend and celebration of World Bonsai Day. 

A program of our friends at CHAPTER 1 Ikebana International and USNA

Exhibits Gallery, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum

Enjoy spring flowers with a Japanese twist! The Washington D.C. Chapter (Chapter 1) of Ikebana International will exhibit flower arrangements representing a variety of ikebana schools and styles. There will be a change-out of the exhibits on April 10 and 13, so plan return visits to see everything. Master teachers will give free ikebana demonstrations on April 8, 9, 15, and 16.

All events are open to the public and are free of charge.

Free Demonstrations: April 8, 9, 15, 16, 1 - 2 pm

Ikebana for Kids Workshop: April 16, 1 -2 :30 pm (Needs prior registration)

This event is run by our friends at Potomac Bonsai Association for their Spring Festival.

Come to the Potomac Bonsai Association’s beginner bonsai learning tent outside the Museum to receive one-on-one instruction from experienced club members. Students will learn how to prune, wire, and repot a bonsai they can take home after class.3-hour class. $50 fee (cash or card) per session; all materials provided. No advanced registration required!

Location: Outside the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum

This event is part of the Potomac Bonsai Association’s annual spring festival, which takes place from May 6th - 8th. Find a full festival schedule here.

This event is run by our friends at the Potomac Bonsai Association.

Bonsai Vendor Tent
Friday, May 6th, 12 pm - 4 pm
Saturday and Sunday, May 7th - 8th, 9 am - 4 pm
Outside the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Find everything you need to begin growing bonsai. Twelve vendors from the region will be selling everything from refined bonsai to pre-bonsai material, tools, soil, and planters.

This event is part of the Potomac Bonsai Association’s Spring Festival. Learn more about festival and other events here.

The Potomac Bonsai Association (PBA) will host an exhibition of bonsai by affiliated club members. Member bonsai will be displayed in the courtyard and formal displays will be set up in the display wing of the special exhibits building of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the National Arboretum, Washington D.C.

More information here.