The National Botanic Garden Reviews and Photos, Washington, D.C.

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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 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

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The National Botanic Garden

December 30, 2006
Rated 4 of 5 by stomps from Houston, Texas

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

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Insect Ecology: The National Botanic Garden

July 31, 2004
Rated 5 of 5 by Idler from Poolesville, Maryland

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