Flinging at the US Botanic Garden
Our day 1 2017 Garden Bloggers Fling itinerary included the opportunity to spend a few hours along
the National Mall in Washington DC. Almost on the doorstep of the
Capitol building is the United States Botanic Garden, a place about which I knew absolutely nothing other that what I gleaned from very brief pre-fling research. I really couldn't recall seeing photo spreads in garden magazines, blog posts or hearing accounts from garden touring friends who may have visited prior to me, including those who live quite nearby.
The US Botanic Garden has been at its current location since 1933, but there has been a public garden presence of some sort on the Mall since 1820. Not surprisingly Thomas Jefferson had a hand in it's establishment, along with a couple of other historical figures you may have heard of, Mr. G.Washington and Mr. J. Madison.
Unfortunately, it was a particularly hot and sticky day for our visit and my documentation was not as thorough as I would have liked. The garden consists of a large architecturally imposing conservatory with 28,944 square feet under glass, the National Garden-a 3 acre outdoor space that was opened in 2006, and Bertholdi Park. Admission is completely free.
Though I didn't take enough photos, the sidewalk bed outside the fence was lined with a very nice dense shrub border. Nothing cutting edge but pleasant and peppered nicely with color.
The Daylilies were a common thread in many of the gardens -unmolested by the damnable snails they were a colorful beacon.
Another view from the sidewalk outside the garden. Who knew there was a garden so nearby the seat of our federal government ? Perhaps their civility and functionality would improve if they spent time strolling there daily. We gardeners get things done.
The National Garden regional area features native plants of the mid-Atlantic. I would have liked to spend more time here but the conservatory was beckoning.
This was often the borrowed view. It was not easy to forget where you were !
The conservatory entry courtyard.
Pretty sure this guy is saying 'damn it's hot-when can we go back to the hotel?'
The conservatory was well-done and nicely maintained with varied rooms that displayed plants from several global climate zones . There was definitely an educational component to the exhibits.
Bartholdi Park was just across Independence Avenue and featured it's 30 ft tall namesake fountain that has been in or around the US Botanic Garden since 1877. Read about it's history here.
The view from Bartholdi Park.
It's my hope to return to this garden one day for a more in-depth visit. Though not what I would classify a world-class public garden , it's worth seeing if you are in the area.
The US Botanic Garden has been at its current location since 1933, but there has been a public garden presence of some sort on the Mall since 1820. Not surprisingly Thomas Jefferson had a hand in it's establishment, along with a couple of other historical figures you may have heard of, Mr. G.Washington and Mr. J. Madison.
Unfortunately, it was a particularly hot and sticky day for our visit and my documentation was not as thorough as I would have liked. The garden consists of a large architecturally imposing conservatory with 28,944 square feet under glass, the National Garden-a 3 acre outdoor space that was opened in 2006, and Bertholdi Park. Admission is completely free.
Though I didn't take enough photos, the sidewalk bed outside the fence was lined with a very nice dense shrub border. Nothing cutting edge but pleasant and peppered nicely with color.
The Daylilies were a common thread in many of the gardens -unmolested by the damnable snails they were a colorful beacon.
Another view from the sidewalk outside the garden. Who knew there was a garden so nearby the seat of our federal government ? Perhaps their civility and functionality would improve if they spent time strolling there daily. We gardeners get things done.
The National Garden regional area features native plants of the mid-Atlantic. I would have liked to spend more time here but the conservatory was beckoning.
This was often the borrowed view. It was not easy to forget where you were !
The conservatory entry courtyard.
Pretty sure this guy is saying 'damn it's hot-when can we go back to the hotel?'
The conservatory was well-done and nicely maintained with varied rooms that displayed plants from several global climate zones . There was definitely an educational component to the exhibits.
Bartholdi Park was just across Independence Avenue and featured it's 30 ft tall namesake fountain that has been in or around the US Botanic Garden since 1877. Read about it's history here.
The view from Bartholdi Park.
It's my hope to return to this garden one day for a more in-depth visit. Though not what I would classify a world-class public garden , it's worth seeing if you are in the area.
I wondered if I'd see photos of the Capitol Building in this post and I wasn't disappointed! ;) You got great photos - I don't think I picked up nearly as much from within the Conservatory as you did. I loved your subtitles for that couple's dialogue - if it wasn't what he said, it certainly was what we were all thinking at that point!
ReplyDeleteI knew I had to work all those shots of the Capitol in somehow ! I had quite a few that were almost the same. I need a do-over on that conservatory.
DeleteI've been waiting for the Capitol Building post...lol. So far I think you have the most pictures of it.
DeleteThanks for sharing your wonderful photos, especially of the lushness inside the conservatory. I couldn't seem to capture that with my camera no matter where I stood. I think the heat had addled my brain so that I was incapable of framing a single shot. I wish I could go back some day when it's less hot and see all the gardens we saw that day on the Mall. I had the opportunity when we lived on the east coast and never did it.
ReplyDeleteI think if I am able to go back at some point I would go in fall-October for example.October is underrated as a great weather month in my opinion. I sure didn't take many photos in the conservatory compared to what I would normally come back with in a venue like that.
DeleteYou are exactly right about October being an excellent time to visit DC gardens. The heat and humidity are lower than in summer(though it can still be 80s during the heat of the day), and all the tender plants are still going strong. Also fewer tourists (but still many, especially on the Mall).
DeleteGreat photos! I too was surprised this garden was so near the capitol, probably lost on those that spend time there however.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, how many photos of the capitol do we see in various print media ? And a Botanic Garden right across the street. Never had a clue !
DeleteActually pretty popular as box lunch spot with staff and citizen lobbyists (as distinct from professional lobbyists, who lunch at pricey restaurants).
DeleteI would definitely have my lunch there if my workplace was nearby !
DeleteWow, the conservatory structure--what I wouldn't give for one of those...hey I can dream right? Single payer would be nice, too. Maybe nicer.
ReplyDelete