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The National Botanic Garden

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Editor Pick

It's a Jungle on Capitol Hill

  • August 23, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by BawBaw from Small Town, West Virginia
It's a Jungle on Capitol Hill

Despite years of residence in the DC area, it was not until this past March that Himself and Yours Truly finally made our way to the United States Botanic Garden. We had often discussed including the Botanic Garden on various sightseeing trips, but in the end it was a visit from my mother, a dedicated amateur gardener, that provided the motivation to move from good intentions to action. We were disappointed only by the fact that it took us so long to get there!

The Botanic Garden is truly a national treasure. Located near the U.S. Capitol Building toward the east end of the National Mall, the garden was first established on the Capitol grounds in 1820 and moved to its current home in 1933. Its mission, as defined by its charter in 1816, is to "collect, grow, and distribute plants of this and other countries that might contribute to the welfare of the American people." That mission is still highly visible in the conservatory's public collection, which focuses on global plant diversity and includes major topical collections of orchids, desert plants, and plants of economic and medicinal value. The outdoor gardens adjacent to the conservatory feature the First Ladies Water Garden and are landscaped with specimens representing the mid-Atlantic region.

The heart of the public face of the U.S. Botanic Garden is the conservatory. After entering through the Vestibule, where staff is available to provide information on special events and what's currently in bloom, visitors pass into the Garden Court, where seasonal displays provide a pleasant assault on the senses. In addition to the seasonal plantings, the Garden Court includes a number of mature plants linked to the garden's mandate to focus on plants of economic value--for example, cocoa plants and banana trees. Benches and a few tables are placed in convenient locations, and it is common to find employees from Capitol Hill spending their lunch hour relaxing happily in the Garden Court with a book or newspaper in hand. Note that food and drink are not encouraged in the conservatory, and there are no onsite dining facilities.

Leaving the Garden Court, visitors may choose to visit either of the two galleries, comfortably fitted with chairs and air-conditioning and designed to house special events and exhibits, or begin exploring the main conservatory, which is designed to provide four distinct exhibit areas. At its center is a multilevel chamber known simply as "the Jungle," which aptly lives up to its name. The lower level of the Jungle consists of pathways through an impressive collection of mature tropical plants, including palms and ferns, as well as numerous smaller plantings, many of which are in bloom. The Jungle includes a simulated stream complete with a bridge designed to resemble a hollowed log. Visitors may access a catwalk above the Jungle floor either by stairs or elevator. The catwalk extends around the entire perimeter of the Jungle, inviting a bird's eye view of the canopy--and if one is attentive, it is also possible to catch a glimpse of the Capitol Dome through the glass roof and walls of the conservatory.

On either side of the Jungle, visitors are presented with two interior courtyards: the Children's Garden, which is themed for children and features annuals that thrive in temperate climates, and the Meditation Garden (also called the Southern Exposure Garden), which features plants from the southeastern and southwestern United States.

The remaining exhibit area consists of a series of eight rooms linked around the perimeter of the conservatory: Plant Adaptation, Garden Primeval, Hawaii, World Deserts, Medicinal Plants, the Orchid House, Plant Exploration, and Rare and Endangered Plants. Each room features a unique grouping of plants related to the institution's core mission and values. Each area has its own special appeal--from the small, carefully constructed alcove representing the harsh yet fragile beauty of the Hawaiian ecosystem to the surprising diversity of plant life in the world’s deserts. My personal favorite among these smaller rooms is the Orchid House. It is simply beautiful and wonderfully designed. With its graceful footbridge and artificial tree limbs filled with flowering orchids, one might think oneself lost in hidden tropical garden. And lest you think that perhaps botanists at the national botanic garden of the United States lack a sense of humor, all you have to do is encounter the small group of dinosaur babies emerging from their eggs in the Garden Primeval or the bear topiaries that seem to be eternally flailing at bees in Plant Exploration.

The U.S. Botanic Garden is an extraordinary resource in the heart of a busy city, and it is one of the oldest institutions of its type in the United States. It may be neither the largest nor the most diverse botanic garden you will even visit, but it is sure to delight both the eye and the spirit. Admission is free, and the conservatory is open daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. If you visit the Washington area, especially in winter, a sidetrip to the Botanic Garden is definitely worthwhile. Check the official Web site Web site for special events and exhibits, some of which extend beyond normal operating hours.
Editor Pick

The National Botanic Garden's Holiday Display

  • December 2, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by kwasiak from Tucson, Arizona
The National Botanic Garden's Holiday Display

The National Botanic Garden's holiday display becomes obvious as you approach the building. Outside they have the Starlight Express train display. It is a beautiful wooden mountainous display with bridges connecting the mountains and train tracks running through and around the mountains and bridges. There are many different trains on the tracks to watch. This display is made from different plants including waste wood. This is a hit with the kids and I saw several parents having a hard time getting the kids to go inside to see the other part of the holiday display here.

The inside part of the holiday display at the Botanic Gardens is the A Midnight Clear exhibit. This exhibit includes a tree with a train going around it. Under the tree are replica Capitol Hill Residences made out of all natural sources. The plants including in these buildings include walnut shells and lotus pods.

Inside there are also replicas of D.C. landmarks and buildings including the Washington Monument, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, and Ford's Theater. The highlight of these replicas made from natural sources is the Capitol building.

The Capitol Building is the largest building and is made of many different plants. This includes acorns in the dome, corn husks in the Statue of Freedom, horse chestnut in the steps, willow branches in the columns, basket cane in the architectural details, and pear bods in the windows.

Also, do not forget to look up and enjoy the snowflakes. They have several large blue and white ones hanging from the ceiling and the sad thing is that I do not think very many people there when I was enjoying the display even noticed they were there.

The closest Metro is the Federal Triangle stop. This display is open until January 6, 2008, for the 2007 holiday season. There are special hours until 8pm at the Botanic gardens to enjoy the holiday display on December 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, and 27. All of those evening except the 4th are also evening with live musical performances.

From journal Holiday Displays in Our Nation's Capital

Editor Pick

The National Botanic Garden

  • December 30, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by stomps from Houston, Texas
The National Botanic Garden

As we walked in the doors of the US Botanic Gardens, James was a bit surprised to see a metal detector and X-ray machine awaiting us. Given the proximity of the Gardens to the Capitol Building, these made sense, so we lined up in typical airport fashion and put my bag and our coats through the X-ray before walking through the detectors. I was fine, but when James walked through, the machine beeped. His face twisted into the utmost look of horror as thoughts raced through his mind about how he was going to get arrested because he was a foreigner that was making the metal detector beep, which obviously makes him a terrorist. However, after pulling his cell phone out of his pocket and trying again, the machine had no objections and he was allowed into the Gardens. Boy, did he breathe a sign of relief.

I don’t really recall a lot of the permanent flower displays at the Gardens, because James was obviously not very interested, which led us to rush through most of it. However, we slowed down a bit for the special exhibit on orchids. I thoroughly enjoyed walking through such a plethora of color and seeing the orchids blooming in such vivid blues, purples, and pinks. The orchids weren’t all in pots on tables, as I have so often seen them (as gifts from my father that my mom promptly sets about killing)—some dangled from above us while others grew in amongst other plants. It was nice to see orchids that weren’t on their deathbed, like so many that have passed through our house!

There were plenty of other displays in the Gardens, including a room for rare and endangered plants and another where you could walk on an elevated walkway above the jungle of plants below. These are part of the conservatory, which is where we spent all of our time; the other main part of the Gardens is Bartholdi Park, located across Independence Ave from the Gardens. This garden was created to “provide inspiration and ideas for home gardeners who visit it” and was named after Frederic Bartholdi, who designed the garden’s centerpiece fountain. Unfortunately, we did not get to see these displays or the separate garden because we had to see the rest of D.C. by nightfall. Plus, James really wasn’t interested in plants at all and he was the one that had never visited D.C. before.

The next building west of the Gardens on the National Mall was the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. Since it was raining more heavily, we were more than happy to duck in there.

From journal DC, in the Rain, With an Aussie

Editor Pick

Insect Ecology: The National Botanic Garden

  • July 31, 2004
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Idler from Poolesville, Maryland
Insect Ecology: The National Botanic Garden




















Just steps from the Capitol Building, the National Botanic Garden has long been a favorite retreat on the Mall. One year, I recall, a section of the Conservatory was given over to an astounding display of orchids, while another exhibit was devoted carnivorous plants. Near the entryway, the Garden Court’s fountains and changing floral displays are an irresistible photo opportunity. The winter holidays are heralded with a riot of poinsettias, while red-white-and-blue plantings trumpet early July. At the heart of the renovated Conservatory, the "Jungle," with its towering palms and paths winding through lush tropical foliage, provides an otherworldly escape for busy legislator and casual tourist alike.

There’s far more to the Botanic Garden, though, than the Conservatory. Just across Independence Avenue lies Bartholdi Park, featuring a lovely fountain surrounded by gardens designed in a classical style. Future plans call for a three-acre National Garden next to the Conservatory at the very foot of the Capitol Building. Along with the gardens of the Smithsonian, National Gallery, and National Park Service, the revitalized Botanic Garden is yet another sign that downtown Washington is undergoing a landscaping and gardening renaissance.

My most recent trip to the National Botanic Garden was to hear a talk by Eric Grissell, author of Insects and Gardens: In Pursuit of a Garden Ecology. Dr Grissell, a research entomologist with the Department of Agriculture, espouses a practical philosophy that advocates balance rather than absolute control in the garden. His basic message is this: insects are not merely pests that gardeners must fight -- they are an integral part of the ecology of the garden, and a good garden displays a richness of both plant and insect life.

It was easy to like Dr. Grissell’s message, which focuses on ‘letting it be’ rather than ‘having it MY way.’ Many gardeners are, simply put, control freaks. Yet the gardener "must ultimately face the garden on its terms or face the alternative of constant vigil or eventual ruin." As he amply demonstrated, there is simply no practical way to win the war with insects. Instead, by cultivating a diversity of plants and habitats, a healthy balance results as the insects, frogs, birds, and other garden dwellers establish equilibrium. In short, by accepting imperfection, we are rewarded with a far richer garden.

Outside the Botanic Garden, I was pleased to find an exhibit devoted largely to insects, The Great Pollinator Partnership, which runs through October 11, 2004. Twelve container ‘pollination gardens’ demonstrate the vital role of pollinators. The graceful displays on the theme ‘Dancing with Flowers,’ were particularly informative. Did you know, for example, that a butterfly garden should contain not just flowering plants but a moist salt lick as well?

Insider Tip: The Botanic Garden stays open until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays. The walk from the Capitol South metro provides wonderful views of the Capitol Building and grounds en route.

From journal Entomological Excursions

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