Smithsonian Gardens

Plant highlight of Nassella tenuissima with horticulturist Sylvia. Video description: horticulturist sitting next to a straw colored grass combing out the ends. #SmithsonianGardens #PollinatorGarden #OrnamentalGrass #PublicGardens

Did you know that our large Gardenia jasminoides is grafted? Grafted plants tend to be more vigorous and produce more and larger flowers than on their own roots. 🎥: Matt F., Horticulturist Video description: horticulturist standing next to a large Gardenia. He is pointing out the large white flowers and the white graft mark on the trunk. #SmithsonianGardens #Gardenia #Horticulture #TropicalPlants

Can you identify these caterpillars? 🐛 These caterpillars are found munching on Aristolochia fimbriata (white veined hardy Dutchman’s pipe). 🐛: Pipevine Swallowtail 📷: Janet D., Horticulturist #Caterpillar #PipevineSwallowtail #Horticulture #SmithsonianGardens #BotanicalGarden

You’ve asked about our staff’s favorite plants. Follow along each week to find out!🌱🌺🌻🌳 I can't help but be impressed by the maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba). This tree is one of the oldest trees known to exist (over 200 million years old) and pre-dates when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Ginkgoes were even some of the only trees to survive the attack on Hiroshima. I enjoy seeing this tree planted in the landscape because I am reminded of its longevity and resiliency. It also has cool, unique fan-shaped leaves that turn a brilliant yellow color in the fall. Ginkgo trees are dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female trees. But beware! The fruits produced on the female trees have a very unpleasant odor as they start to decompose, so planting a male tree may be more preferable. -Jeff S., Deputy Director #SmithsonianGardens #StaffPick #Ginkgo #PublicGarden #Horticulture

Hot or flop?👍👎 Find out what vegetables are doing well in the Victory Garden with horticulturist Erin. 🌽🥒🫛🌶️ Video description: horticulturist standing next to various vegetables checking to see how they are doing this summer in the garden. #VeggieGarden #BotanicalGardens #SmithsonianGardens

Bee happy, it’s the weekend! 🐝 The flowers on Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed) are a favorite of many bees and other pollinators. And even better, this plant can serve as the host plant for monarch butterflies. 🦋 📷: Michael A., Horticulturist #Milkweed #PollinatorPlant #Horticulture #SmithsonianGardens

Gardenia jasminoides is a summer show stopper in the Enid A. Haupt Garden! This tree has been in the tropical collection for over 25 years. It makes a journey from our greenhouses to the garden to brighten and perfume the garden. 🎥: Horticulturist Matt Video description: horticulturist standing next to an evergreen tree with white flowers. #Gardenia #TropicalPlants #SmithsonianGardens #BotanicalGarden

Horticulturist Sylvia highlights the firecracker plant. 🎆🎇 Video description: horticulturist sitting on the ground next to a green plant with pink red flowers. #SmithsonianGardens #PlantHighlight #PublicGardens #DCGardens

You’ve asked about our staff’s favorite plants. Follow along each week to find out!🌱🌺🌻🌳 One of my favorite plants is Pentas lanceolata, or Egyptian star flower. The name Pentas comes from the Greek "pente" (a series of five) referring to the flowers which have five petals, and lanceolata refers to the lance-shaped leaves. Pentas is native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. This tropical beauty is used as an annual in zones cooler than 10 but it is a blooming powerhouse all summer and fall making it a pollinator favorite. Pentas ranges in color from white, rose, hot pink, red, purple and lavender. It also comes in a wide variety of sizes from eight inches to four feet tall, though many are in the 12-20 inch range. There is sure to be one that fits your design scheme! - Debra A., Horticulturist #StaffPick #Pentas #PublicGardens #SmithsonianGardens

How tall is the corn in your garden? The Victory Garden has two unique cultivars ‘Glass Gem’ and ‘Ultra Violet’. Since they are both newer varieties, they have already exceeded a height of “knee high” for this time of year. 🎥: Sarah D., Supervisory Horticulturist Video description: horticulturist standing next to corn stalks in a garden commenting on their seasonal growth. #SmithsonianGardens #KneeHighByTheFourthOfJuly #VeggieGarden #VictoryGarden