The United States Botanic Garden (USGB) has been in its current location on the National Mall near the Capitol since 1933, but the institution has been in continuous operation since 1850, and its origins date back to an idea of George Washington, making it one of Washington DC’s oldest elements and one of the oldest botanic gardens in the country.
Consisting today of a conservatory with a collection of plants from around the world, an outdoor “National” garden with sections dedicated to Mid-Atlantic plants, a garden featuring roses (the national flower), a garden designed to attract butterflies, a water garden honoring the U.S First Ladies, a terrace garden and an amphitheater for welcoming, hosting groups and educating groups, and the Bartholdi Park, featuring the historic Bartholdi Fountain.
The USBG is also a living plant museum and horticultural center, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, and committed to fostering sustainability and plant conservation as part of its mission of “demonstrating the aesthetic, cultural, economic, therapeutic and ecological importance of plants to the well-being of humankind.” (Their Production Facility is the largest greenhouse complex supporting a public garden in the United States.)
This was my first trip to the site, temporarily shifting the location of a personal anniversary “garden” visit from the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens of Baltimore.
