This trident maple's roots grow over a rock, and
its foliage and stems are trimmed in the shape of a dragon. The plant is part
of an existing Far-East-themed arboretum collectionthe National Bonsai
and Penjing Museum. Click the image for more information about
it. |
USDA Announces Plans for Classical Chinese Garden
at Arboretum
By Alfredo Flores August 12, 2005
WASHINGTON, Aug. 12Agriculture Under Secretary for
Research, Education and Economics
Dr. Joseph Jen today
announced the plans for a proposed classical Chinese garden at the
U.S.
National Arboretum.
"The arboretum's China Garden will be one of the finest of its kind in
the world," said Jen. "It will be a great addition to the ten existing
world-class display gardens at the arboretum and serve as a reminder of
friendship between the Chinese and American people. The China Garden will
enhance research in oriental plants and flowers, while providing the public
with an opportunity to experience its unique beauty."
Jen and
Tom
Elias, Director of the U.S. National Arboretum, and Jin Ju,
Minister-Counselor for Science and Technology at the
Embassy of the People's Republic of
China, unveiled details about the proposed garden, which will be named the
"China
Garden." Jen and Elias have been working closely on this project with the
Chinese, since USDA and Chinese Ambassador Yang Jiechi signed a Memorandum of
Understanding in October 2004.
The proposed twelve-acre garden plans are based on an original design
developed by a joint team of designers from China and the United States. The
garden will be split into three main components. One area will include a small
pond and traditional Chinese buildings with Ming- and Ching-style hardwood
furniture, calligraphy and painting scrolls on the walls, and will feature a
traditional boathouse adjacent to a 1.3-acre lake.
The second component will include an exhibition hall for paintings,
calligraphy and other Chinese artwork. The third component will comprise a
Peony Pavilion overlooking the garden; a Fragrance Pavilion, which will also
house authentic Chinese goldfish; and a Whispering Pavilion, which will include
a Tibetan white pagoda.
Also today, arboretum officials announced plans to co-host a Chinese
Autumn Moon Festival on Saturday, Sept. 17, in collaboration with a local group
of Chinese Americans led by Rita Shan. The festival will include tram tours of
the arboretum with narratives in both English and Chinese, Chinese food,
gourmet tea and moon cakes, performances, and films throughout the evening. The
festival also will feature moon viewing, music from Chinese zithers,
calligraphy, art displays, stone viewings and lectures on Chinese herbs.
The U.S. National Arboretum covers 446 acres in northeast Washington,
D.C. It was established by an act of Congress in 1927 to conduct research,
provide education and conserve and display trees, shrubs, flowers and other
plants to enhance the environment. It is operated by the
Agricultural Research Service,
USDA's chief intramural scientific research
agency.