The U.S. National Arboretum (USNA) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture research and education facility for ornamental trees, shrubs, and floral plants. It is a national center that welcomes visitors in a stimulating and aesthetically pleasing environment. Visitors can explore the vast 446-acre landscape throughout all seasons.

The USNA is home to a series of world-class display gardens and collections including Asian Collections, Azalea Collections, the National Herb Garden, and the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. The next major addition to the USNA will be a Classical Chinese Garden. [Check out the story of the signing of the agreement here]. The Classical Chinese Garden is an original design developed by a joint team of designers from the People’s Republic of China and the United States. This 12-acre garden brings a unique cultural experience to the USNA that will provide an in-depth exploration of the elements that create a Chinese garden. Contributions to the Classical Chinese Garden at the USNA are tax-deductible.

The garden will provide an opportunity for visitors, nationally and internationally, to see and experience a true classical Chinese garden and learn about the culture of China. This will be a setting for people to learn about Chinese culture and its traditional arts and crafts of China. It will be a key location for important meetings and special events for high-ranking officials, the business community, and organizations. At the same time, it will be used to support the Arboretum’s research programs in the development of new and improved ornamental and floral plants.

An 8-acre site located in the heart of the 446-acre USNA has been selected to provide a setting for the Chinese Garden that will never be compromised by surrounding high-rise buildings or other man-made structures. A mature pine forest provides an idea backdrop high on a sloping hillside for the upper segments of the Chinese garden. The lower part of this setting will feature a small lake and the main complex of buildings. The Chinese Garden is located adjacent to a mature dawn redwood grove and the Arboretum’s extensive collection of Asian plants.

The pathway will be lined with willows as visitors walk to the Fragrance Pavilion, where they can rest and enjoy viewing authentic Chinese goldfish. On their way to an astonishing view of the entire garden in the Whispering Pavilion, visitors will pass a traditional Chinese White Pagoda. From there visitors can follow the path to the Five Pavilions for another extraordinary view of the garden.

-- Click here for the story on the signing of the agreement.
-- Click here for an Introduction on Classical Chinese Gardens.

  Contributions to the Classical Chinese Garden at the USNA are tax-deductible.

We currently have two separate donation programs:

• The first 100 individuals who donate $10,000 or more toward the construction of the Classical Chinese Garden will be designated Pioneer Donors. Click here for more information.
• The Charter Donors Program has three tiers of donations ranging from $1,000 to $9,999.
  
  • Silver Charter Donors: Those who donate $1,000 to $2,499 to the project will receive special recognition in a USNA publication.
  • Gold Charter Donors: Those who donate $2,500 to $4,999 to the project will receive special recognition in a USNA publication and an invitation to a special event to be held in the Garden during the first year of operation.
  • Platinum Charter Donors: Those who donate $5,000 to $9,999 to the project will receive special recognition in a USNA publication and special invitations to three special events to be held in the Garden during the first year of operation.
  Names of all Charter Donors will be entered in a record book. The record book will be displayed with other historical materials in an exhibition area inside one of the main structures. Click here for more information.

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