Steeped in history, rich with tradition, the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) is a living plant museum that informs visitors about the importance, and often irreplaceable value, of plants to the well-being of humans and to earth's fragile ecosystems.
More than 200 years ago, George Washington had a vision for the capital city of the United States that included a botanic garden that would demonstrate and promote the importance of plants to the young nation. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1820, the U.S. Botanic Garden is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America. Since 1934, it has been administered through the Architect of the Capitol.
From roses to orchids, the rainforest to the Mid-Atlantic, rare and endangered plants to the latest in home gardens, you will find a world of plants and environments in our permanent exhibits and gardens. Any time of year, you'll see something beautiful in bloom at the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory, the National Garden, and Bartholdi Park.
The indoor gardens and galleries of our Conservatory, with the jungle, desert and primeval paradise, offer the perfect foil to a winter day or harried schedule. The resplendent diversity of form, color, fruit, and fragrance reminds us that plants make our lives possible and enjoyable. Outdoors, our National Garden offers the finest of Mid-Atlantic plants and Bartholdi Park just across Independence Avenue demonstrates a variety of approaches to the home landscape.