The Smithsonian's renowned Orchid Collection numbers more than eight thousand plants. Eric Long, SI
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Serene Smithsonian Gardens
Carefully planned gardens provide visitors a place to relax and reflect during their visit to the Smithsonian
Glorious garden views, particularly in spring, brighten rooms on the south and east sides of the Smithsonian Castle, including, I’m happy to say, my own office. The Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden becomes a multi-colored delight with its award-winning ornamental hybrid roses. The Enid A. Haupt Garden comprises the Moongate Garden, inspired by the Temple of Heaven in Beijing; the Fountain Garden, modeled after the Lion Court in Spain’s Alhambra palace; and the Parterre, influenced by France’s Palace of Versailles. In April a flurry of showy saucer magnolia blossoms takes center stage. Visitors also see thousands of tulips, violas and other flowers.
You don’t have to visit Washington to enjoy our gardens. Carole Ottesen’s brand-new Guide to Smithsonian Gardens (published by Smithsonian Books) is packed with beautiful photographs by Smithsonian photographers, including Eric Long; the book explains what makes our many gardens and landscapes unique, captivating and educational. (See a preview and purchase a copy at gardens.si.edu.) “The Smithsonian experience does not begin and end at the doors of its museums,” Ottesen writes. “Beyond the museum walls are gardens and interior courtyards that have been designed to augment and complement the collections within.”
In summer the Butterfly Habitat Garden, next to the National Museum of Natural History and a favorite with visitors, is home to at least 15 species of butterflies, including black swallowtails and red admirals. Maintaining public gardens is a major undertaking, one that begins in the state-of-the-art Smithsonian Gardens Greenhouse Facility. Opened in November 2010 at our Museum Support Center in Suitland, Maryland, its 14 greenhouses contain thousands of plants, including our prized collection of nearly 8,000 orchid specimens (orchids.si.edu). More than 25,000 orchid species exist. Working with the U.S. Botanic Garden, we curate a special orchid exhibition each spring. This year’s show, “Orchids: A View from the East” (mnh.si.edu/exhibits/orchids), closes on April 24.
Our greenhouses are only a small part of our pan-institutional “go green” initiative. Last year, I charged an executive committee with making the Institution a leader in sustainable practices. Our gardens are some of the most visible elements of that commitment, and they illustrate the importance of being good stewards of the Smithsonian’s own properties, which include 19,000 acres in the nation’s capital, eight states, Panama, Chile and Belize. If we cultivate them responsibly, future generations will be able to enjoy our gardens as much as we do today.
G. Wayne Clough is Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
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Comments (5)
The Moongate Garden is part of the Haupt Garden, on the south side of the Smithsonian Castle in Washington. I was there Friday, and the pink saucer magnolia blossoms had already dropped off the trees. To see the blossoms in full bloom, it's best to come at the very beginning of April. As I recall, in some years they have started to blossom as early as mid March.
Posted by Bruce Hathaway on April 18,2011 | 02:46 PM
The picture of the Moongate garden is stunning and I live in the DC area, in fact I was just there yesterday. Is this garden blooming as in this, "Pretty in pink" picture depics as of right now? Also, where specifically is this garden, please? I would love to come visit it. Also, my good friend from California and I really loved the Butterfly Habitat this past summer! Thanks!
Sheila Nottingham Kulbeth
Posted by Sheila Nottingham Kulbeth on April 2,2011 | 05:20 PM
I have a small creek in my backyard and would like to plant flowering trees of some kind such as Kwanzan flowering cherry or Wisteria trees( not vines) or Mimosa flowering, for the purpose of flowering for a long time in spring,summer and fall or trees that are suited for a creek type environment, not wet all year, just spring damp ground.
We are in Zone 6. I wish the trees also for the purpose of keeping bank from eroding. What do you suggest.
Nanette Hakes
email: nanettehks@gmail.com
Posted by Nanette Hakes on April 1,2011 | 05:31 PM
Bonnie:
Those magnolias did not come with a name when they were installed in the garden many years ago. They are an unnamed variety of Magnolia x soulangeana. Although they are not named, they are one of the most prevalent Magnolia x soulangeana’s on the market. Usually the named varieties have different color variations.
Jeff Schneider
Grounds Manager
Smithsonian Gardens
Posted by Jeff Schneider on April 1,2011 | 10:18 AM
Question: What variety of Magnolia x soulangeana is grown in the garden of the Smithsonian Castle garden?
Posted by Bonnie Goff on March 31,2011 | 05:38 PM