Trees

I have to admit that for all the years I’ve lived in and around DC, last year was the first time I’d ever been to the US National Arboretum. Sure, I’d driven by on my way out of town, but frankly, I wasn’t ever quite sure what went on in there, or why I’d want to go until a friend took me to azalea gaze last spring. Since then, I’ve found it’s the perfect place to take the pooch for a walk, sit under a tree and read, or aimlessly meander to clear my head. Unlike many of you, I’m not much of a horticultural buff/gardener, and my front “yard” more closely resembles something you’d see at Sing Sing than something you’d see in an English garden. So I don’t pretend to go and study up on varietals or things of that sort. I go because I can always find a quiet spot, something new to look at and maybe, just maybe some of that gardening stuff might sink in.

While the Azalea Collections are certainly the stars of the show when they’re blooming, I’m apt to say that the tulips, daffodils and crocuses a little earlier in the Spring are my favorites. Going in August though (not the best time of year for catching anything in full bloom) opened my eyes to the idea of the Arboretum as a year-round destination. Fern Valley provided a nice shady walk for the pup and I (beware the rather large frogs that call the stream in Fern Valley home; they scared my dog causing her to slide into the water which caused quite a ruckus among the other critters calling the Valley home). Apologies for the gratuitous photo of my dog. Story continues with lots more photos after the jump. (more…)