Friday, June 25, 2010

Such a Treasure

 

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Visiting the US Botanic Garden in the Nation’s Capitol is just spectacular. Not only is it one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America, but it was also conceived from a shared vision with Washington, Jefferson and James Madison collaborating together to build this heritage garden on the National Mall in Washington DC.

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The Botanic Garden was established in 1820 and has been in continuous operation and open to the public since 1850. It houses more than 60,000 plants for exhibition, conservation and comprises of medicinal, economic, a mid-Atlantic native garden, orchids, cacti and succulents, carnivorous plants and many other historic specimens.

 

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There is so much diversity under the glass conservatory with amazing exhibits filled with color, fruit, exotic discoveries, amazing fragrances and well laid out rooms.  Of course one of my favorites was the orchid section were I’m always drawn to the vivid and unusual flowers like the ones below.

 

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Don’t you just want to keep looking at these exotic orchids and cover every detail ?

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There are many beautiful vistas inside and then looking outside towards the

Nation’s Capitol.

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There are many beautiful exterior gardens as well including this pond with many Mid-Atlantic

natives grown in a natural creek-like setting.

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I like this ode to everything yellow including the large scaled sunflower…i would like to take that

home with me please, do you think I can bend it to fit my suit case?

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Here’s the front entry to the Botanic Garden, they just completed setting up the new spring

display with new annuals and these beautiful arch entryways to the front entrance. The next

few photos show nice details of the entryways and a focus on edible/sustainable gardening in

vertical baskets.

 

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Here’s a another new concept of hanging out your plants in a new fashion, talk about

fashion forward plantings on a hammock.

 

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Isn’t this an amazing place to explore and visit and to think its all free and open to the public all the time. I can just imagine coming here in the cold winter month’s to see something tropical and blooming for a quick respite from the freezing cold air. This is truly a treasured garden to visit in the Nation’s Capitol, one I could enjoy visiting on a regular basis.

 

To see other blooms for fertilizer friday go to http://www.tootsietime.com

19 comments:

DeniseinVA said...

Noel, I am so happy I checked in today. We were at the Botanical Garden last Sunday after walking through the National Garden right next to it. I will be posting my photos next Tuesday. I have also shared several photos in some posts of our walk. Your photos are lovely and it is fun seeing such a familiar place through your eyes. Have a great weekend!

An English Girl Rambles

Sherrie said...

Hi!
This is awesome! Thanks for the journey. Have a great day!

Sherrie
Sherrie's Stuff

Floridagirl said...

That is a national treasure! Love it. I too would be captivated by those orchids.

BernieH said...

Marvellous tour ... those orchids are stunning! I just love the planted hammock idea ... how wonderfully creative! That planted arch is also impressive. Great photos.

Megan said...

The plant hammocks are genius! Beautiful pics!

Tootsie said...

what an absolutely wonderful place to visit...and without this post I would never have been able to see it!!! thanks so much for this...it's a special treat. thanks for linking in...I love that hammock idea!!!

Anonymous said...

Greetings Noel, Yes, this most certainly is a National treasure and it is, of course, amazing that it is open to the public without charge. What an incredible selection of plants, and no few new ideas!

Helen/patientgardener said...

That looks like a fabulous place to visit. I like the vegetables growing in the baskets but I wonder how they grow when they are on shelves and so they arent getting enough light - any ideas

Alice Audrey said...

What a lush place! I would love to visit there.

Kimberly said...

Noel, so glad to hear from you again! I've missed your posts. Yes, this IS a treasure! What a great place to visit. Those orchids are quite spectacular! The creative ways of planting are awesome! I could plant in a hammock.

Pat said...

The hammock planters crack me up.
That's some special treatment they get !

debsgarden said...

Thanks for the tour! The orchids are wonderful. and I am fascinated by the vertical gardens. There is so much to see! The hammocks are quirky and fun!

Amy said...

I was there when there was snow on the ground and missed all of the outdoor garden. I will have to go back! Thanks for the tour. Your photos are beautiful!

Ellada said...

Aloha,
You show us some beautiful things. I find it very funny, that it has do with the hammock.
Thank you very much for sharing.

Carver said...

Wonderful shots from the botanical garden. I haven't been there in some time and enjoyed the tour through your photography.

Unknown said...

I loved this spectacular tour. I love the hammock planter idea as well.

Joe Todd said...

I've recently seen some other posts about our capital. So much to see. Just got back from the Dominican Republic so I've been saying Hola..

Joe Todd said...

I've recently seen some other posts about our capital. So much to see. Just got back from the Dominican Republic so I've been saying Hola..

chasity said...

i used to work at a botanical garden and i've visited many around the country but i've never been here.
you can bet i want to now that i've seen your photos.
so many beautiful flowers~love the orchids!

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