The United States Botanic Garden was the vision of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. It was established on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in 1820 and opened to the public in 1850. The exhibits include medicinal plants, cacti, rare and endangered species, a jungle, orchids, and a children’s garden. Its plant collections number over 60,000. The USBG rescues plants confiscated at U.S. borders. Three plants on display date back to Lieutenant Charles Wilkes’ U.S. Exploring Expedition from 1838 to 1842.
The jungle exhibit…
A Theobroma Cacao tree…
Otherwise known as the chocolate tree…
The orange pods contain seeds that become cocoa beans.
A cactus from Bolivia
A papaya tree…
The World Deserts exhibit…
The Garden Court…
Also the Garden Court…
The East Gallery…
Also the East Gallery…
The Children’s Garden…
Upcoming programs include Dig into Reading: Story Time at the Garden and Science Saturday’s for kids ages 7-12. A Family Field Journal activity guide is available at the entrance. Admission is free.
