U.S. Botanical Garden, Washington D.C.

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I guess I was expecting a dazzling display of colorful blooms, but that is not really the mission of the National Botanic Garden. It was begun in 1820 to collect, grow and distribute plants from around the world that “might contribute to the welfare of the American people.” currently maintains about 26,000 plants. The plants are used for exhibition, study, and exchange with other institutions. The Garden's noteworthy collections include economic plants, medicinal plants, orchids, cacti and succulents, bromeliads, cycads, and ferns. It was originally just west of the Capitol grounds but moved here in 1933 and the conservatory has undergone complete renovation recently. Part of the renovation is the National Garden which is scheduled to open in October 2006.

The grounds of the U.S. Botanic Garden are located on the National Mall across from the U.S. Capitol along First Street, S.W., between Maryland Avenue and C Street. You may visit the Conservatory daily from 10 am to 5 pm and Bartholdi Park daily from dawn to dusk. Admission is free.

One feature that did indeed interest me is Bartholdi Park which is just beside the conservatory. It is a lovely small outdoor garden featuring a fountain done by Bartholdi. It
was done originally for the US Centennial celebration in Philadelphia and was moved to Washington after the festivities.

Quiz question of the day (this should be easy): What other grand work did Bartholdi do that now almost universally identifies the US?

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The Botanical Garden is located at 1st Street & Maryland Ave. SW at the base of the Capitol. I don't think I've visited, but my mom has. It is definitely worth seeing if you are interested in plants.

The Conservatory underwent major renovations to improve its structural, environmental and visual.

According to the website, this is one of the new exhibits:

Medicinal Plant Traditions of the Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, Co-Sponsored by the Durban Botanic Gardens of Ethekwini, Municipality, Durban, South Africa, PLANT EXPLORATION, APRIL 19 – NOVEMBER 23

* Admission to all public areas of the U.S. Botanic Garden is FREE.

* Conservatory Hours: open 10 AM - 5 PM daily, including all weekends & holidays
* National Garden Hours: open 10 AM - 7 PM daily, including all
weekends & holidays * Bartholdi Park Hours: open dawn to dusk, daily, including all weekends & holidays

* The Conservatory's main entrance is located at 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20001 (use this address for internet mapping searches). The National Garden is adjacent to the Conservatory, with entrances from Independence Avenue, from Maryland Avenue (at 3rd Street), and from the Conservatory Terrace. Bartholdi Park is located across Independence Avenue from the Conservatory, with access from any of the three bordering streets - Independence Avenue, Washington Avenue, or First Street.

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After visiting a number of landmark buildings, we were craving for our prime interest - greenery.

We found beauty blooming in Washington, DC at the United States Botanic Garden. Located on the west side of U.S. Capitol Building, the Botanic Garden includes a conservatory and Bartholdi Park gardens. We spent some time in Bartholdi Park that offered beautiful landscaping in an outdoor garden setting, along with the historic Bartholdi Fountain.

Bartholdi Park is located across the street from the conservatory. This beautifully landscaped flower garden has as its centerpiece, a classical style fountain that was created by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the French sculptor who also designed the Statue of Liberty.

Admission to all public areas of the U.S. Botanic Garden is free.

Located at 245 First Street SW you will find the oldest continually operating botanical garden in the United States.

There is a new, larger National Garden being planned. . It will be built on a three-acre site immediately adjacent to the Botanic Garden Conservatory and the U.S. Capitol. It is bounded by 3rd Street on the west, Maryland Ave. on the north, Independence Ave. on the south and the USBG Conservatory on the east. The plan is on this page.

The Botanical Garden.

The plants variety is better in other arboretums but this is free, folks! It's warm when it's cold outside, cool when it's hot. Tranquil when you have had enough of the busy crowds at the other museums.