U.S. Botanic Garden

U.S. Botanic Garden The U.S. Botanic Garden inspires people to appreciate, study, and conserve plants. Est. 1820
(1045)

The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) is the oldest continuously operating public garden in the United States, established in 1820. The USBG inspires people to appreciate, study, and conserve plants to enrich society locally and globally. The Garden is dedicated to promoting botanical knowledge through the cultivation of an ordered collection of plants; presentation of plant displays, exhibits,

and educational programs; and by fostering sustainability and plant conservation. The Garden is a living plant museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and Botanic Gardens Conservation International, serving more than one million visitors per year.

The deep pink bracts lift to expose the male flowers on this dwarf Indian banana (Musa mani), native to Assam. The pale ...
11/09/2023

The deep pink bracts lift to expose the male flowers on this dwarf Indian banana (Musa mani), native to Assam. The pale yellow structures in the second are the male flowers with pollen. In the third photo, you can see the bananas developing from the female flowers. This species stays quite short. Find it in our Tropics house.

Red maple (Acer rubrum) is known for brilliant red fall color, but the colors can vary and can show reds, oranges, and g...
11/07/2023

Red maple (Acer rubrum) is known for brilliant red fall color, but the colors can vary and can show reds, oranges, and golden hues like this tree in our Bartholdi Gardens. Native to central and eastern United States, this popular shade tree can grow 40-60 feet in height and sometimes even up to 100 feet. It will grow in sun to part shade, preferring moist soils.

This week, Ava and others from Applied Imagination were on-site touching up our DC landmarks made from plants as we begi...
11/05/2023

This week, Ava and others from Applied Imagination were on-site touching up our DC landmarks made from plants as we begin installation for our holiday exhibit opening Thanksgiving Day. Here, Ava is touching up the green roof on the model of our Conservatory — swipe to see the box of small plant parts she’s working with. Our green roof is a science experiment comparing native plants versus traditional sedums used on green roofs. “Season’s Greenings” runs Nov. 23, 2023, - Jan. 1, 2024.

Look at the beautiful drama of this Bulbophyllum inunctum  . Native to Borneo and Malaysia, it features striking red-on-...
11/04/2023

Look at the beautiful drama of this Bulbophyllum inunctum . Native to Borneo and Malaysia, it features striking red-on-gold colors and dramatic curls. Find it blooming in our Orchids house.

Lighting up the sky like fireworks, this sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is showing brilliant fall foliage. It is native to...
11/02/2023

Lighting up the sky like fireworks, this sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is showing brilliant fall foliage. It is native to northeastern North America.

With the days getting shorter and the temperatures dropping, many trees are showing more autumn color, including the fan...
11/01/2023

With the days getting shorter and the temperatures dropping, many trees are showing more autumn color, including the fan-shaped leaves of Ginkgo biloba. They are changing from green to gold, with a few having fallen to the ground. G. biloba is native to eastern China.

Happy Halloween! Enjoy the beautiful blooms of bat flower (Tacca integrifolia)! This tropical plant receives its name fo...
10/31/2023

Happy Halloween! Enjoy the beautiful blooms of bat flower (Tacca integrifolia)! This tropical plant receives its name for resembling a bat in flight, and is native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, India and southern China. In the U.S., it would be winter hardy to USDA zones 8-10, but could grown as an indoor houseplant in areas where it couldn’t winter outdoors. It prefers shade and lots of humidity, so placing it near a humidifier or misting frequently would help. You can find these bat flowers in our Tropics house.

Join us Saturday for a free online art workshop "Drawing and Painting Hummingbirds and Trumpet Flowers" with artist Mary...
10/30/2023

Join us Saturday for a free online art workshop "Drawing and Painting Hummingbirds and Trumpet Flowers" with artist Mary Ellen Carsley, Professional Artist/Illustrator. Register at https://app.livestorm.co/u-s-botanic-garden/drawing-and-painting-hummingbirds-and-trumpet-flowers-online-art-workshop

Warm up your autumn by recalling summer garden beauty. During this online workshop, explore how to draw and paint two beautiful subjects: the trumpet flower and one of its most loved pollinators, the hummingbird. Learn how an understanding of basic botanical and bird anatomy informs drawing practice and makes work more lifelike. The workshop will explore fundamental watercolor techniques, color theory, color mixing, and artistic compositional principles. Mary Ellen will share a few "pro tips" to give your work a bit of artistic flare!

DATE: Saturday, November 4
TIME: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET
LOCATION: Online
FREE: Pre-registration required. Register at https://app.livestorm.co/u-s-botanic-garden/drawing-and-painting-hummingbirds-and-trumpet-flowers-online-art-workshop

Lots of plants have “spooky” names. This cockscomb is Celosia ‘Dracula.’ Any guesses why it might have been given this n...
10/29/2023

Lots of plants have “spooky” names. This cockscomb is Celosia ‘Dracula.’ Any guesses why it might have been given this name?

As Halloween festivities get underway this weekend, here’s a photo of bat-faced cuphea (Cuphea Ilavea) from our Garden. ...
10/28/2023

As Halloween festivities get underway this weekend, here’s a photo of bat-faced cuphea (Cuphea Ilavea) from our Garden. This species is native to Mexico.

A pink-peach sunrise viewed through the Garden Court
10/27/2023

A pink-peach sunrise viewed through the Garden Court

The U.S. Botanic Garden and the  are currently accepting applications through Nov. 1, 2023, for a new round of the Urban...
10/26/2023

The U.S. Botanic Garden and the are currently accepting applications through Nov. 1, 2023, for a new round of the Urban Agriculture Resilience Program (UARP). Since 2020, the program has provided financial awards to 80 urban agriculture projects nationwide. Through awards of $5K-$20K, UARP supports public gardens and their partners in facilitating collaborative urban agriculture, community gardening, and other food-growing programs. Applications are due November 1, 2023. https://www.publicgardens.org/grow-your-garden/promote/urban-agriculture/

The alleé of musclewood trees (Carpinus caroliniana) provide a beautiful shaded walk in the summer and transition to pre...
10/26/2023

The alleé of musclewood trees (Carpinus caroliniana) provide a beautiful shaded walk in the summer and transition to pretty golden yellow tones in the autumn. This tree is native to eastern to central North America. See the sinewy wood growth in photo 4 that leads to the “muscle” name.

Always fun to show up on Jeopardy! again! Trivia and gardens — two things we love!
10/25/2023

Always fun to show up on Jeopardy! again! Trivia and gardens — two things we love!

Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is putting on a vibrant red show with its autumn color. Sourwood grows throughout the Pie...
10/25/2023

Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is putting on a vibrant red show with its autumn color. Sourwood grows throughout the Piedmont uplands and in some well-drained areas of the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain, and it blooms later in the spring than most flowering trees. Its flowers are insect pollinated and a source of highly prized honey. The yellow alongside it is American witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana 'Mohonk Red').

It's the season where "spooky" things are on the brain. Have you heard of the skeleton flower? It turns clear when wet! ...
10/24/2023

It's the season where "spooky" things are on the brain. Have you heard of the skeleton flower? It turns clear when wet! We enjoyed helping with this fun article about them for Martha Stewart.

Strikingly beautiful skeleton flowers get their name from their most unique quality: They turn clear when it rains. Learn how to source, plant, and care for these rare beauties, and add their one-of-a-kind petals to your garden.

The ripening fruits of this American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana ‘Welch’s Pink') create a beautiful ombre color ch...
10/23/2023

The ripening fruits of this American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana ‘Welch’s Pink') create a beautiful ombre color change from green to pink. Soon, the entire bush will be covered with vibrant pink berries.

Almost glowing in the morning light in our Orchids house is Cattleya maxima. This colorful   is native to Colombia, Ecua...
10/22/2023

Almost glowing in the morning light in our Orchids house is Cattleya maxima. This colorful is native to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

Raindrops on roses. The blooms in the Rose Garden are beautiful in the rain.1. Rosa 'RADrazz' Knockout2. Rosa 'KORdiagra...
10/21/2023

Raindrops on roses. The blooms in the Rose Garden are beautiful in the rain.

1. Rosa 'RADrazz' Knockout
2. Rosa 'KORdiagraf' Dark Desire
3. Rosa 'Gruss an Aachen'
4. Rosa 'Savannah'
5. Rosa ‘MElggili’ Peach Drift
6. Rosa ‘BUCbi’ Carefree Beauty
7. Rosa 'Quietness'
8. Rosa 'KORdiagraf' Dark Desire

Check out the beautiful autumnal red colors beginning on this sassafras (Sassafras albidum). This medium-size tree is na...
10/20/2023

Check out the beautiful autumnal red colors beginning on this sassafras (Sassafras albidum). This medium-size tree is native to central and eastern United States, growing up to 35-50 feet tall. Roots and bark have been used for oil to flavor root beer and to make tea and perfumed soap. It handles sun to shade and the fragrant flowers attract butterflies. It is a larval host for spicebush, tiger swallowtail, Palamedes, and pale swallowtail butterflies.

Blooming in the canopy walk in the Conservatory Tropics house: Tri-colored passion flower (Passiflora trifasciata). This...
10/18/2023

Blooming in the canopy walk in the Conservatory Tropics house: Tri-colored passion flower (Passiflora trifasciata). This beautiful flower is native to Peru and Brazil, and the leaves showcase a nice pink-to-burgundy color.

Blooming now: Yadkin River goldenrod (Solidago plumosa) — This rare species of goldenrod is found in the wild only along...
10/18/2023

Blooming now: Yadkin River goldenrod (Solidago plumosa) — This rare species of goldenrod is found in the wild only along a short stretch of the Yadkin River in North Carolina. A perennial herb, this plant grows up to three feet tall.

The U.S. Botanic Garden is hiring a Program Support Specialist. Major duties will include Procurement Processing, Budget...
10/17/2023

The U.S. Botanic Garden is hiring a Program Support Specialist. Major duties will include Procurement Processing, Budget Ex*****on, Human Resources Management, Travel and Training, and Office Activities Coordination. Applications due Oct. 30, 2023. Learn more and apply at

Explore job, internship, and contractor opportunities

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea ‘Transkutuku') have been pulled up in our Kitchen Garden! This plant has about 30 peanuts on i...
10/17/2023

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea ‘Transkutuku') have been pulled up in our Kitchen Garden! This plant has about 30 peanuts on it. In the third photo, you can see where the flowers lose their petals and then the “peg” grows down into the soil, where the embryo grows and matures into the peanut. Each plant can produce 40 or more mature peanut pods. Peanut plants fix nitrogen, taking it from the air and putting into the soil.

Plant spotlight: rock tassel-fern (Phlegmariurus squarrosus). This spore-bearing plant is a type of clubmoss from Austra...
10/15/2023

Plant spotlight: rock tassel-fern (Phlegmariurus squarrosus). This spore-bearing plant is a type of clubmoss from Australia that grows as an epiphyte on trees in very damp rainforests. Despite its common names, it is not a true fern or moss, but rather a unique type of vascular plant.

This Miltonia spectabilis var. moreliana   is welcoming visitors into the Conservatory with a wonderful fragrance. This ...
10/14/2023

This Miltonia spectabilis var. moreliana is welcoming visitors into the Conservatory with a wonderful fragrance. This large-flowered species is native to Brazil.

10/12/2023
A sunflower (Helianthus annuus) stands tall in our Kitchen Garden. This famous flower species is native to North America...
10/12/2023

A sunflower (Helianthus annuus) stands tall in our Kitchen Garden. This famous flower species is native to North America. It has been cultivated by Native Americans for more than 10,000 years. Today, most are grown for oil from their seeds.

The U.S. Botanic Garden and other botanic gardens are working with USDA and other partners to locate and get into growing programs the wild relatives of these and other crop plants. These might display traits such as higher tolerance for heat or drought that could be useful for breeding for resilience.

Thousands of poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) for our holiday exhibit are growing and looking top notch! “Season’s Gr...
10/11/2023

Thousands of poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) for our holiday exhibit are growing and looking top notch! “Season’s Greenings” exhibit will run Thanksgiving Day through New Year’s Day. www.USBG.gov/Holiday

This ginger lily (Hedychium ‘Tahitian Flame') is known for its variegated foliage and fragrant, apricot-colored flowers....
10/09/2023

This ginger lily (Hedychium ‘Tahitian Flame') is known for its variegated foliage and fragrant, apricot-colored flowers. Stalks up to 5-6 feet tall bear flowers summer through fall. It prefers part shade or shade and is winter hardy zones 8-11.

This stunning beauty is the flower of orchid Bulbopbylum macranthum, native to Southeast Asia. It is one of more than 3,...
10/07/2023

This stunning beauty is the flower of orchid Bulbopbylum macranthum, native to Southeast Asia. It is one of more than 3,000 orchids in the U.S. Botanic Garden orchid collection. You can find these blooms high in the canopy walk in our Tropics house.

A sweet fragrance is filling the air of the Garden Court from these white ginger (Hedychium coronarium). The tall stalks...
10/06/2023

A sweet fragrance is filling the air of the Garden Court from these white ginger (Hedychium coronarium). The tall stalks sport creamy white flowers rich with scent. They are native to Nepal and India (Himalayan region).

Come escape to the Tropics right here in Washington, D.C! Find a new favorite tropical houseplant in the understory or p...
10/06/2023

Come escape to the Tropics right here in Washington, D.C! Find a new favorite tropical houseplant in the understory or peer up at the majestic palms. No tickets required, open daily except Dec. 25.

Lamiaceae, commonly known as the mint family, includes more culinary herbs than any other family. Native to the Mediterr...
10/04/2023

Lamiaceae, commonly known as the mint family, includes more culinary herbs than any other family. Native to the Mediterranean region, lavender, oregano, thyme, sage, savory, and rosemary are some of the aromatic herbs in this family. These herbs are also used for medicinal properties and extracting essential oils. Known for being easily grown and propagated, today they are cultivated worldwide. Many mint family plants are on display in the Terrace Gardens special display showcasing the geographic origins of many agricultural crops. This is part of our “Cultivate: Growing Food in a Changing World” exhibit all about agriculture.

Check out this fun story about some "underrated" plants. It was a pleasure to share some of our favorites!
10/04/2023

Check out this fun story about some "underrated" plants. It was a pleasure to share some of our favorites!

The multiple colors of sweet potato vines (Ipomoea batatas) are looking beautiful in the Kitchen Garden. It’s just about...
10/03/2023

The multiple colors of sweet potato vines (Ipomoea batatas) are looking beautiful in the Kitchen Garden. It’s just about time to harvest the sweet potatoes, which will be donated to Food Rescue US.

Happy National Coffee Day! Coffee is a caffeinated beverage made from the fermented and roasted seeds of coffee trees (C...
09/29/2023

Happy National Coffee Day! Coffee is a caffeinated beverage made from the fermented and roasted seeds of coffee trees (Coffea spp.). Coffee is the fourth most consumed beverage in the world after water, beer, and tea. In 2022, 22.5 billion lbs of coffee beans were consumed globally. Coffee plants are small evergreen trees that produce fruit (“cherries”), which usually contain two seeds, aka “beans”. Coffea arabica shown here is the most commonly cultivated species, used for approximately 70% of coffee production. Coffee plants produce caffeine as a chemical defense against insect herbivores.

Coffea arabica is self-pollinating and starts producing fruits after 3-4 years. The fruit starts as green and ripens to a crimson red. Arabica coffee, native to Ethiopia, is now grown in tropical regions around the world. Brazil is the number one producer of coffee in the world. You can find coffee plants growing in our Conservatory.

Coffea arabica is struggling to cope with high temperatures and erratic precipitation caused by global climate change. By understanding the diversity of plants in the Coffea genus, we may be able to mitigate these negative effects and save coffee cultivation. There are over 120 wild species of coffee - plant scientists call these “crop wild relatives”. Found in Africa and Madagascar, these wild coffee relatives could be the key to saving coffee cultivation. Some wild coffee species exhibit stronger resilience to high temperatures, drought, pests, and disease than their agricultural counterparts. From these wild species, new hybrid crops are being developed that could potentially replace or enhance climate-sensitive Coffea arabica.

Three cheers for coffee!

We’re starting to see fall color in a few places in the Garden, like the red tips of this cutleaf smooth sumac (Rhus gla...
09/28/2023

We’re starting to see fall color in a few places in the Garden, like the red tips of this cutleaf smooth sumac (Rhus glabra ‘Laciniata'). R. glabra is native throughout almost the entirety of the United States. Are you starting to see any fall color on any plants?

Our popular annual holiday display “Season’s Greenings” will run from Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, 2023, through New Year’...
09/27/2023

Our popular annual holiday display “Season’s Greenings” will run from Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, 2023, through New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2024, closed on Dec. 25. G-gauge model trains will run between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. each day in the gated outdoor gardens, and the Conservatory will feature poinsettias, holiday decor, and D.C. landmarks made from plants.

On the lawn in the gated outdoor gardens, G-gauge model trains will circulate through displays of pollinators made from plant parts. These scenes will range from oversized models of native U.S. flowers, butterflies, bats, and hummingbirds to an orchid bee pollinating a vanilla orchid flower, a chocolate midge pollinating a cacao flower, a lemur pollinating a traveler’s tree flower, and more! About 75% of all flowering plant species need animal pollinators for reproduction. As a result, pollinators contribute to ecosystem health and a sustainable food supply.

Inside the Conservatory, holiday decorations will include nearly 2,000 colorful poinsettias and the Garden’s collection of D.C. monuments and landmarks, such as the U.S. Capitol building and the Lincoln Memorial, all made from plant parts. Recent additions to the collection will return, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the USBG’s historic 1800s Conservatory and Palm House interior, and the National Gallery of Art East Wing.

Throughout the outdoor gardens, discover trees and shrubs lit with string lights, festive evergreens and decorations, and six large plant-based sculptures of pollinators on display.

A gift store run by the Friends of the U.S. Botanic Garden and local D.C. small business REWILD will offer botanically themed gifts for purchase in the Conservatory's West Gallery. Zeke's Coffee of DC will offer coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks for sale near the trains on select days.

The Conservatory is open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, the gated outdoor gardens are open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, and the Terrace Gardens and Bartholdi Gardens are open dawn to dusk daily. The Garden will be closed Dec. 25. Tickets are not required to view the trains or any part of the USBG. The trains will run between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. each day and may not operate during inclement weather.

The Garden will offer extended evening hours on three Thursdays, Dec. 14, Dec. 21, and Dec. 28. The Conservatory and train display will be open until 8:00 p.m. these evenings, with live seasonal music to enjoy while exploring the holiday displays and plants in the Conservatory.

Plan your visit at www.USBG.gov/SeasonsGreenings.

09/26/2023

Plant Science Conversations break down cutting-edge plant science during casual conversations with fascinating researchers. During this online discussion, join Dr. Heather Grab in conversation with botanist and USBG Executive Director Dr. Susan Pell as they discuss Dr. Grab's research on the diverse and innovative products sourced from h**p and how one crop can have far-reaching impact.

Presenters: Dr. Susan Pell, Executive Director of the U.S. Botanic Garden; Dr. Heather Grab, Senior Lecturer, School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University

This program was recorded on Friday, August 25, 2023. Find upcoming programs at www.USBG.gov/Programs

Address

100 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington D.C., DC
20001

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+12022258333

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Wheat and corn from Kansas on display at the U.S. Botanic Garden. This year’s holiday train display theme: farming around the world! 🌽
Snowdrops blooming at the U.S. Botanic Garden
Art imitating reality. Capitol and Capitol. Loved our visit on Tuesday this week....Marijo Cosmas
Tonia and Cat Young tell us about the Inala Jurassic Garden's involvement in the global genome project with U.S. Botanic Garden, Botanic Gardens Conservation International and Global Genome Biodiversity Network.



Video by Brad of Pademelon Creative
Trains and farm scenes from the U.S. Botanic Garden's annual holiday display! Running daily from 10am to 5pm through January 2nd, this is one of our favorite traditions 🚂🎄

📷 Amber McFadden
Why are all the other states which have botanical gardens having their regular indoors greenings AND indoor train displays but this one is only having everything outside in the cold?
Another long standing, special tradition, the trains at U.S. Botanic Garden return for 2021! A celebration of agriculture around the world.
Looking for affordable outings this season to explore? Don’t forget about you Smithsonian museums in DC where entry is free! You won’t want to miss this beautiful train display at the U.S. Botanic Garden
The arrival of the first frosts recently has us reminiscing of warmer days, and thinking about our rockstar plants that performed so well.

This lovely group of purple poppy mallows (Callirhoe involucrata) were spotted at the U.S. Botanic Garden in DC over the summer. Just a delightful plant that doesn’t mind the hot, dry sand.

Now that most things are done blooming, let’s reflect…Did you plant something new, or something you unexpectedly enjoyed? Tell us in the comments below!👇👇👇
Wing it to Washington! When you’re ready to see D.C., flying BTR’s a capital idea! Make a short hop on American Airlines, Delta Air Lines or United
to reflect at magnificent memorials, explore the U.S. Botanic Garden, or learn about language at Planet Word Museum. For convenience, BTR wins by a landslide. Visit https://www.flybtr.com.
We love this simple sidewalk planting of purple fountain grass, coral , and lantana at the U.S. Botanic Garden. All of these plants appreciate fertile garden soil amended with products such as Black Gold Compost Blend, Garden Soil, or Peat Moss.
Plants


A New Movie Proposal

By

James T. Struck BA, BS, AA, MLIS


In a less competitive image of flowers, plants, angiosperms, gymnosperms, we introduce 50 different plants to the world to help people learn about plants. The different plants from roses, tulips, herbs, geraniums, daisies, sunflowers, chrysanthemums, lilies, violets, corn, apple trees, orange trees, flowering trees introduce themselves and talk about their existences and histories. The movie does not involve racing or competition just 10-50 flowers talking about themselves.

The movie viewers leave the movie theater feeling “Good I just learned about 10-50 different plants and flowers”

James T. STruck BA, BS, AA, MLIS
PO BOX 61
Evanston IL 60204

What do you think?
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