The most spectacular gardens in Washington DC are hidden among the marble and monuments. This pastoral paradise awaits exploration by those willing to seek it out. The center of the nation's civic accomplishments is also home to a wide variety of gardens and greens that celebrate the natural beauty of the U. S.. The very best include:
United States Botanic Garden
The most noted of Washington DC gardens and the diamond in the country's horticultural crown, the U.S. Botanic Garden is the premier destination for plant-loving visitors to the District of Columbia. Found on the National Mall near the Capital, the USBG was built in 1820 and extensively renovated in 2001.The conservatory houses a bunch of over 4,000 plants including picturesque replicas of worldwide ecosystems from dry deserts to tropical rainforests. The National Garden features the 1st Ladies’Water garden, a rose garden and a wide variety of flowering species of plants, trees and shrubs. Across the street, Bartholdi Park is home to an intricately landscaped flower garden and a fountain designed by the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty.
Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens
Among the most beautiful of Washington DC public parks is this twelve-acre spotless wilderness devoted to water-loving plants and animals. Set up in the 1800s by Walter Shaw with 1 or 2 water lilies, the nautical wetlands were purchased by the Central government in 1938. In the midst of conserving the lily ponds, a portion of the first marsh was saved long before the environmental importance of wetlands was fully accepted. Today, a boardwalk along the waterfront permits a peaceful and uninterrupted view of the aquatic plants and wildlife. Butterfly hunters and birdwatchers are welcome.
Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens
Hillwood Estate encompasses one of the loveliest formal Washington DC gardens. Once the home of cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post, Hillwood Estate was originally willed to the Smithsonian but is now maintained by the Post Foundation. Come to see the biggest collection of Imperial Russian artwork outside Russia but linger in the delightful gardens. Admirers of orchids will swoon in the greenhouses that contain over 5,000 example of those fragile beauties. A Japanese garden with waterfall, a rose garden, intricately designed French Parterre and cutting garden are among the other natural miracles to be seen here.
River Farm
Among the most historic gardens in Washington DC is River Farm. Now the headquarters of the North American Horticultural Society, the property was a part of George Washington’s land holdings at the time of his passing. The farm consists of 25 acres of landscape and lawn just outside Washington in Alexandria, Virginia. Well-liked attractions include the Andre Blumenthal Meadow – four acres of wild flowers and grasses along with two black walnut trees that may date back to Washington’s time – and the Children?s Garden, more than a dozen little plots devoted to different themes and built to be both pretty and academic.
Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve
Home to frolicking beaver and muskrat and visited by just about 300 species of birds, Dyke Marsh is 485 pristine acres along the west bank of the Potomac Brook and part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. One of the most untouched Washington DC public parks, the swamp is a real wilderness area and does not sponsor any ranger-led programs. Leave your car or bicycle at the entrance and travel back in time on foot. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed. Over 360 types of local plants have been identified growing in the marsh until now.
Jamie Grotter has been interested in tourism Washington DC for many years. She has written op-eds and editorial pieces about attractions in Washington DC for many online publications. For more information about Washington DC gardens please visit his site.