Sort of a "Secret
Garden," the U.S. National Arboretum is tucked into the nation's capital. This
view of the U.S. Capitol was photographed from the arboretum's Mount
Hamilton--one of the highest points in the city. Click the image for more
information about it.
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Classical Chinese Garden Slated for the
Nation's Capital By
Alfredo Flores
October 14, 2004
WASHINGTON, October 14Agriculture Secretary Ann M.
Veneman this morning signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Yang
Jiechi, ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the United States, for
the construction of a classical Chinese garden at the
U.S. National Arboretum in Washington,
D.C.
"This Chinese garden will be a wonderful addition to the
world-class display gardens already at the Arboretum," Veneman said. "The new
garden will deepen the American people's understanding of Chinese garden
culture, and provide research opportunities to study Chinese plants and
flowers. Upon completion this will be the finest Chinese garden outside of
China."
The MOU is between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the State Forestry Administration of
the People's Republic of China, which will cooperatively construct the garden
as a gift from the Chinese people to the American people. The Chinese partner
will donate all main structures, rockeries, furniture and art objects. It will
stand as a symbol of friendship between the two countries.
The 12-acre Jiangnan-style garden will be based on an original
design developed by a joint team of designers from China and the United States.
While the details are still being developed, one area of the garden will
include a small pond and traditional Chinese buildings with Ming- and
Ching-style hardwood furniture, calligraphy and painting scrolls on the walls,
and a traditional boat house adjacent to a 1.3-acre lake.
The second area will include a two-story teahouse and an exhibit
hall for paintings, calligraphy and other Chinese artwork. The third area 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 Chinese white pagoda.
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.
The Agricultural Research
Service, USDA's chief scientific research agency, operates the U.S.
National Arboretum. For more information about the arboretum, visit:
http://www.usna.usda.gov |