U.S. Botanic Garden
Experience the desert and the jungle in half an hour – visit the United States Botanic Garden. Recently renovated, this conservatory features a wide variety of permanent plant collections as well as special exhibits.
History of the U.S. Botanic Garden
The USBG is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America. George 
Washington,
James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson supported the idea of a national
garden located in the capital. Congress first established the garden in
1820. The Garden has been located at the eastern end of the Mall since
1849. Since 1934, it has been under the administration of the Office of
the Architect of the Capitol.
Things to See and Do at the National Botanic Garden
The Garden contains a myriad of amazing plants, trees, flowers and
more. The Conservatory offers a desert, oasis, primeval garden, jungle,
medicinal garden, orchid room, 
meditation garden, and much more. The current exhibit, Orchids! Beauty and Beyond, continues through March 21, 2004.
Where do the plants go when they’re not on display? The U.S. Botanic
Garden Production facility grows plants for the exhibits and many
plants on Capitol Hill. It’s located at D.C. Village and is open to the
public only once a year.
Located across the street from the Conservatory, Bartholdi Park
provides even more botanical exploration. The park was created in 1932
and named for Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, who sculpted the fountain
located in the center. Bartholdi Park was geometrically designed to
showcase the fountain and provide public gathering areas. The Park now
is used for home landscape demonstrations and display innovative design
themes.
The National Garden is an extension of the Botanic Garden. It features plants native to the
mid-Atlantic region, the First Ladies Water Garden, and a Rose Garden.
The National Garden is situated on a 3-acre site west of the
Conservatory.
The U.S. Botanic Garden hosts many programs throughout the year for all ages. 
Learn
about flowers as depicted in art, make your own silk painting, or learn
about the healing properties of specific plants and gardens in general.
Some classes are free, others require a registration fee. See the
current schedule by clicking here.
How to Get There, Where to Park, Etc.
The
U.S. Botanic Garden is located on Independence Avenue, between First
Street SW and Third Street SW, at the foot of the U.S. Capitol
Building. The closest Metro
station is Federal Center SW (orange/blue lines). If you are visiting
other attractions on the Mall, the Garden is on the same side as the
National Air and Space Museum, very close to the Capitol.
The USBG hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is free.
The USBG website offers helpful information for planning a visit to their facility. Click here to read more.