New exhibit added to arboretum

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new exhibit that will tickle visitors' taste buds has been added this year at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.

The Ornamental Edibles exhibit in the arboretum's National Herb Garden will demonstrate ways that home gardeners can incorporate vegetable plants into their landscape gardens. Visitors to the herb garden can experience plants through sight, smell, touch and taste. The designed herb garden includes annual, perennial and woody herbal plants.

The exhibit is being used to promote healthy eating and contribute to the USDA initiative encouraging Americans to eat locally produced food. The exhibit is managed by arboretum horticulturist Chrissy Moore and technician Jeanette Proudfoot. The arboretum is administered by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), USDA's principal intramural scientific research agency.

The arboretum's exhibit will feature vegetables appropriate for the current season while also highlighting ARS research. For example, visitors to the arboretum this summer can see ARS-developed, nematode-resistant peppers arranged with tomatoes, eggplants, gourds and beans.