
National Arboretum Celebrates 70 Years of
Scientific DiscoveryBy Hank Becker
WASHINGTON, March 4--The
U.S. National
Arboretum here celebrates its 70th anniversary starting Thursday, March 7,
with a six-month exhibit that features new plant releases, discoveries and
inventions of U.S. Department of Agriculturescientists, said Thomas S. Elias, director of the arboretum. The media is
invited to view the exhibit beginning at 10 a.m. on March 7. 'Celebrating Science: 70 Years of Discovery highlights the many
accomplishments of the arboretum since it was established by an act of
Congress, Elias said. The arboretum is operated by USDAs
Agricultural Research Service. Scheduled activities include special exhibits, dedication of the entry court
of the National
Grove of State Trees, release of a new dwarf crape myrtle and a special
exhibit of dried and live floral plants from South Africa. The South African exhibit will feature plants that show the
areas unique diversity and richness of flowering plants, Elias
said. Especially interesting is the incredible assortment of exotic bulb
plants related to such well-known flowers as gladiolus and amaryllis. Many of
the flowers on display are virtually unknown to U.S. growers, nurseries and
consumers. An exhibit in October and November will highlight exotic and rare cut and
potted plants from South Africa. ARS has begun a cooperative research project
with South African small farmers to develop and introduce U.S. consumers to
these plants. Scientists at the arboretum have developed more than 650 new trees, shrubs
and floral plants. In addition to creating azaleas of many different colors and
magnolias with long-lasting blooms, they search the world for superior floral
and woody landscape trees and shrubs. Through classical breeding and genetic engineering, the scientists improve
the plants in some way, such as increased cold tolerance, greater resistance to
disease or insects, or more tolerance for urban pollution. Accomplishments of the arboretum over the years include: * Development of Bradford, Whitehouse and Capitol ornamental pear
trees. The Bradford pear is among the top 10 most widely planted ornamental
trees in the eastern United States. * Nineteen dwarf viburnums such as Shoshoni and Eskimo. Dwarf
viburnums are ideal for foundation planting, rock gardens, borders and low
hedges. * More than two dozen new crape myrtle cultivars. These varieties are
typically less than 16 feet tall, resist mildew and flower in a range of colors
from light lavender to coral pink. Their mottled bark changes color throughout
the year, from near-white to light brown and sandalwood to gray-brown, chestnut
and mahogany. *Little Belle Blue, a Eustoma (lisianthus).Developed as the first true genetic dwarf selected from tissue culture, this
native plant will bloom for up to 2 months. The new cultivar was created by
combining classical breeding and biotechnology to make these flowering, wild
plants dwarf and bushy. Grown as either a potted or bedding plant, this new
crop can be sold as a seed-produced annual bloomer. *The USDA Plant
Hardiness Zone Map. Commercial growers use the map to help decide when
to ship living plants throughout the United States so they will survive if
planted when received. Research at the National Arboretum goes far beyond developing new and
better varieties, said Elias. Arboretum scientists develop and
implement new technologies for the U.S. floral and nursery industry to keep
them competitive in world markets. These technologies include the use of genetic engineering to improve floral
and woody plants; new greenhouse and field production methods to produce mature
plants in less time; improved plant and tissue culture techniques for faster
selection and identification of desirable plant characteristics, and better
methods for detecting and identifying plant pathogenic viruses and bacteria and
controlling them. Each year, nearly 500,000 visitors tour the National Arboretums
grounds and exhibits set on 444 acres in northeast Washington, D.C. The
arboretum is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Christmas Day. The
address is 3501 New York Avenue, NE. Scientific contact: Thomas S. Elias, U.S. National Arboretum,
Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Washington DC 20002, phone (202) 245-4539,
e-mail [email protected] U.S. Department of Agriculture | |