Blog
Bonsai Roots, Repotting an Azalea at the National Arboretum
Join Curator Michael James and me on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 1 pm, EST, for a Road Scholar Online Program when he will be re-potting this Satsuki Azalea (Rhododendron 'Kozan'), donated by Kenichi Oguchi and now in the collections at the U.S. National Arboretum....
The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays!
Here is the promised photo of the Imperial Decoration I received on May 10, 2022 from Ambassador Tomita at his Residence in Washington, D.C.: the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays. It honors my contributions "to introducing Japanese culture and promoting...
Peak Bloom Prediction for DC!
The National Park Service predicts that the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin will reach peak bloom during the week of March 22nd, just three weeks away! Hearing that news on the first of March, with February a recent memory, it seemed unbelievable. But earlier...
News for the New Year!
Several authors interested in French history before 1899 "met" at the 2021 Historic Novel Conference. We decided to collaborate to encourage more interest in historic French people and places. Our first effort is a Facebook page: FrancesSplendidCenturies, where we...
Astonishing News!
This year, I am humbled to share that the Government of Japan is awarding me the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays as one of the foreign recipients of the 2021 Spring Imperial Decorations. The citation reads: "Ann McClellan has played an important role in...
Here Come the Kanzans!
Just as the 'Kanzans' come into bloom, my 'season' of cherry blossom talks via Zoom is behind me for 2021. I was thrilled to 'meet' so many interesting people virtually, and appreciate everyone's interest in my favorites, the flowering cherry trees -- what they mean...
Washington’s Cherry Blossoms at Peak Bloom!
Today's news is that the famous flowering cherry trees around the Tidal Basin are at peak bloom! They raced through the last blooming stages, thanks to last week's unusually warm weather, though they're not expected to stay around long since harsher weather is on the...
Have PowerPoints, Will Zoom!
This winter, I will be working on my new cherry blossom book, due to be released in early 2022. It will focus on the flowering cherry trees at the U.S. National Arboretum and around the world. I'm excited to share what I've learned since my first book came out in...
My Fifteen Seconds of Fame
Earlier this month, I was speaking with someone on the phone about scheduling a medical test. The conversation went something like this: She: "Ann McClellan? I know that name." Me: "Do you watch WETA?" She, hesitantly: "Yes." Me: "Well, I am a 'talking head' in a...