Garden Fair & Plant Sale

Celebrate spring at FONA’s annual Garden Fair & Plant Sale! Join us on Saturday, April 25th from 9 AM to 4 PM at the U.S. National Arboretum. Shop from thousands of plants, get expert gardening advice, browse from 25+ local vendors, and enjoy free family activities.

• 8 AM: Arboretum opens to the public. Members may start lining up outside the Plant Sale tent for members-only hours.
• 9 AM - 11 AM: Members-only hours in the Plant Sale tent. Donate any amount to become a FONA member and get early access to the Plant Sale.
• 9 AM - 4 PM: Shop locally made home goods, food & drink, and more at the Vendor Village.
• 10 AM - 2 PM: Free family-friendly activities offered by DC Child Care Connections.
• 11 AM - 4 PM: Public hours for the Plant Sale, open to all.

Please note that dogs are not allowed in the Plant Sale tent, but are allowed on leash in the Vendor Village. Bringing your dog is not recommended since the event can get very crowded.

Thank you for sponsoring this year's event!

All visitors must park at either the near the Visitor Center or the . A free shuttle will transport people between the parking lots and the event, which will be held in the New York Avenue parking lot. Parking is free, and shuttles will run from 8 AM to 5 PM.

Pets are not permitted aboard the shuttle, but service animals are welcome. Foldable strollers can be brought on board.

A limited number of handicap parking spots are available in the New York Avenue lot. No other event parking is allowed in this lot.

9 AM - 11 AM: Members-only hours for the Plant Sale tent

11 AM - 4 PM: Public hours for the Plant Sale tent

Shop from thousands of annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, and rare plants ordered by our team of garden experts. Whether you’re looking for herbs for your apartment balcony or shade-loving perennials for your yard, the Plant Sale tent has great options at great prices. Plan to pay with a credit or debit card for purchases from the Plant Sale tent (no cash sales). The list of plants that our volunteer team has ordered will be released around April 15th.

From 9 AM to 11 AM, FONA members get early access to the Plant Sale tent. From 11 AM to 4 PM, the Plant Sale tent will be open to the public. and get the first pick of these one-of-a-kind plants!

Free plant sitting is available next to the Plant Sale tent so you can put your plants down while you enjoy the rest of the event. When you are ready to pack up your plants, you can drive your car right up to the plant sitting tent and we will help you load your car.

9 AM - 4 PM

Shop from over 25 local plant, gardening, home goods, food, and beverage vendors! The Vendor Village will be open to the public all day from 9 AM to 4 PM. We will announce the full list of vendors in early April.

10 AM - 2 PM

Enjoy free family activities for children ages 2 to 12 including face painting, arts, crafts, and games. These activities are offered by DC Child Care Connections, the District’s Child Care Resource and Referral program funded through the Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s Division of Early Learning.

Parental or guardian supervision is required during all family activities.

Want to join the Garden Fair & Plant Sale volunteer team? We need volunteers to price and move plants during the week before the event. We also need volunteers to help at the event as greeters, cashiers, plant experts, shopping cart wranglers, and more. FONA could not host this event without the incredible support of volunteers. Fill out our event volunteer interest form and we'll get back to you soon with more information.

This event will happen rain or shine on Saturday, April 25th. In the event of dangerous inclement weather, the event will be moved to Sunday, April 26th. If we must reschedule the event, you will be notified by email at least 2 hours before the scheduled start time. Please check before you head out.

Please check your spam folder if you've registered for the event but haven't received a confirmation email. Email [email protected] with any questions. Sign up for our weekly newsletter, FONA Field Notes, to get notified when plant and vendor lists are released!

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Friends of the National Arboretum