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{{Short description|Botanical garden on the grounds of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., USA}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox park
| namephoto = 2017 United States BotanicalBotanic GardensGarden.jpg
| photo_width =
| photo = 2017 United States Botanic Garden.jpg
| photo_caption = U.S. Botanic Garden in 2017
| photo_width = 240
| photo_captiontype = Conservatory of the United States = Botanical Garden
| typelocation = [[BotanicalWashington gardenDC]]
| coords = {{coord|38.888|N|77.013|W|display=inline,title|source:dewiki}}
| map = United States Washington, D.C. central#USA
| area =
| map_caption = Location within Washington, D.C.
| created = 1820 (formally established in 1850) = 1820
| operator = US Congress
| location = 100 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20001, United States
| publictransit = [[Federal Center SW station]]
| coords = {{coord|38.888|N|77.013|W|region:US-DC|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.usbg.gov}}
| area =
| visitation_num = 750,000 per year<ref name="production"/>
| administrator = Holly H. Shimizu
| status = Open all year including holidays, free admission to all gardens - Conservatory is open 10am to 5pm
| operator = [[United States Congress|Congress]] through the [[Architect of the Capitol]],
| website = [http://www.usbg.gov/ usbg.gov]
}}
 
The '''United States BotanicalBotanic Garden''' ('''USBG''') is a [[botanical garden|botanic garden]] on the grounds of the [[United States Capitol]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], near the [[James A. Garfield CircleMonument]].

The U.S. Botanic Garden is supervised by the [[United States Congress|Congress]] through the [[Architect of the Capitol]], who is responsible for maintaining the grounds of the United States Capitol. The USBG is open every day of the year, including [[federal holiday]]s. It is the oldest continually -operating botanic garden in the United States.
 
== History ==
[[File:WashingtonUnited 1874States usBotanic botanicGarden, 1867 garden(27880946305).jpg|left|thumb|leftA [[Stereoscopy|Engravingstereogram]] from Picturesque America: Orof the LandUnited We Live In,States VolumeBotanic IIGarden, 18741867]]
[[File:Exterior of Botanical Gardens, Washington, D.C. LCCN94505276.jpg|thumb|Botanic Garden exterior in the 1880s]]
[[File:12-07-13-washington-by-RalfR-04.jpg|thumb|left|The United States Botanic Garden]]
The Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences in Washington, DC first suggested the creation of the Botanic Garden in 1816. In 1820 it was given land by an act of Congress. The land was located west of the Capitol extending from First Street to Third Street between Pennsylvania and Maryland Avenues. The facility ceased to operate in 1837 when the society stopped holding meetings. However it was re-instituted in 1842 when the Wilkes expedition of the [[South Seas]] brought back a collection of plants.<ref>http://citycat.dclibrary.org/uhtbin/cgisirsi.exe/QWMC2f9na7/ML-KING/33270231/511/5327 {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref>
The [[Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences]] in Washington, D.C., first suggested the creation of a botanic garden in 1816.<ref name="columbian">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uuReAXm_9b0C&pg=PA508&lpg=PA508&dq=dr.+edward+cutbush#v=onepage&q=dr.%20edward%20cutbush&f=false |title=Science - The Columbian Institute |accessdate=2010-06-08|work=|publisher=New York, The Science Press, p.508, 1917}}</ref><ref name="Botanic Garden">{{cite web|url=http://www.usbg.gov/history/history.cfm|title=Brief History of the U.S. Botanic Garden|work=[http://www.usbg.gov/index.cfm United States Botanic Garden]|publisher=United States Botanic Garden|location=Washington, DC|accessdate=2010-07-08}}</ref> The idea of establishing a botanic garden in Washington, D.C., was also supported by the Washington Botanical Society, organized in 1817, many of whose members were also members of the Columbian Institute, however this society disbanded in 1826.<ref name="botanical">{{cite web|url=http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/~landc/html/greene.html|title=Greene: American Science in the Age of Jefferson.|accessdate=2010-06-10|work=|publisher=Ames: Iowa State University Press, 1984}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
 
In 1838, [[Charles Wilkes]] set out on the [[United States Exploring Expedition]] commissioned by Congress to [[Circumnavigation|circumnavigate]] the globe and explore the Pacific Ocean. During this trip (the "Wilkes Expedition"), Wilkes collected live and dried [[Biological specimen|specimen]]s of [[plant]]s and was one of the first to use [[wardian case]]s to maintain live plants on long voyages. Wilkes returned in 1842 with a massive collection of plants previously unknown in the United States.
In 1820, President [[James Monroe]] set aside {{convert|5|acre|ha|abbr=off}} for a "national greenhouse." [[Dr. Edward Cutbush]], founder and first president of the Columbian Institute, was one of the earliest advocates for a plant repository and saw the necessity for a botanical garden "where various seeds and plants could be cultivated, and, as they multiplied, distributed to other parts of the Union."<ref name="garden">{{cite web |url=http://www.cuyahogamg.org/MGGardeningArticles/Gardens%20and%20Arboretums/TV08%2001%20-%20Welches.pdf |title=Our Nation's Greenhouse: The Mall, Washington, D.C. |first=Sandy |last=Welches |accessdate=2010-06-07 |work= |publisher=Trumpet Vine, 2008}}</ref>
 
The dried specimens comprised the core of what is now the '''National Herbarium''', an [[herbarium]] curated by the [[Smithsonian Institution|Smithsonian Institution's]] [[National Museum of Natural History]]. The live specimens and [[seed]]s came to be housed in the Old Patent Office greenhouse, and were cared for there until 1850. At that time, a botanic garden was built to house the collection in front of the Capitol, where the Capitol [[reflecting pool]] is now located.
The tract, which was swamp land,<ref name="swamp">{{cite news |title=Q and A, University of the Masses. |newspaper=[[The Arizona Republic]] |location=Phoenix, Arizona |date=April 3, 1940 |first=Frederic J.|last=Haskin}}</ref> was located next to the [[Smithsonian Museum]] and a mere eighty feet from the steps of the Capitol.<ref name="garden"/> The land was situated between First and Third streets and Pennsylvania and Maryland avenues<ref name="elliott"/> on the west side of the Capitol building.<ref name="rathbun">{{cite book|url = https://www.usbg.gov/brief-history-us-botanic-garden|title = Brief History of the U.S. Botanic Garden|first = |last = |accessdate = 2015-10-30|work = |publisher = United States Botanic Garden Conservatory}}</ref> It was originally owned by David Burnes, the Scots farmer who owned much of the site of the city of Washington. He had been warned in 1796 that if he chose to plant crops "on the avenue and the Mall", it was at his own risk as something might be done "almost any time" to make a thoroughfare.<ref name="fountain"/>
 
Abolitionist [[Photius Fisk]] conducted scientific exploration of minerals and plants. While he was U.S. Navy chaplain on the [[USS Raritan (1843)|Frigate Raritan]] in South America and the Pacific he collected seeds and rare plants for the United States Botanic Garden. Some of the species he gathered were the [[Vanilla (genus)|vanilla plant]], [[dendrobium]], [[cattleya]], [[epidendrum]], [[stanhopea]], and several other named and unnamed species. Most of the flowers were from Brazil. He also obtained the rare butterfly flower [[psychopsis|Oncidium Papilio]] from Saint Thomas which he carefully guarded. [[Photius Fisk]] kept careful notes of his observations of the plants. In February 1853, he immediately traveled to Washington and gave the plants to the superintendent and botanist of the United States Botanic Garden W. D. Breckenridge.<ref>{{cite book |last= Hunter |first= Alfred |author-link= |date= 1856 |title= A Popular Catalogue of the Extraordinary Curiosities in the National Institute |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xHsDAAAAYAAJ&q=fisk|location= Washington D.C. |publisher= Alfred Hunter Publishing |page=66 |isbn= }}</ref><ref name="bio">{{cite book |last= Hodge |first= Lyman F. |author-link= |date= 1891 |title= Photius Fisk A Biography |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=X-l_AdfbROMC&dq=Photius+Fisk+A+Biography+butterfly+flower&pg=PA93 |location= Boston, Mass |publisher= Lyman F. Hodge|page= 93 |isbn= }}</ref>
It is probable that [[Thomas Jefferson]] was the first influential person who took an interest in cleaning up the brush that covered the land. By 1810, some rows of Lombardy poplars had been planted, however, the avenue itself "was too much of a morass" to be traversed on horseback.<ref name="fountain"/>
 
In 1933, the building was moved to its present location, just to the southwest of the Capitol, bordered by Maryland Avenue on the north, First Street on the east, [[Independence Avenue (Washington D.C.)|Independence Avenue]] on the south, and Third Street on the west.
===Botanic Garden of the Columbian Institute===
 
The building was closed for [[renovation]]s on September 1, 1997, and reopened to the public on December 11, 2001. At the time of closure for renovation, plants in the collection were either placed in storage at the USBG Production Facility, retired to greenhouses in [[Florida]], or composted.
One of the greatest accomplishments of the institution was the creation of a botanic garden in 1821. "By the end of 1823 the swampy tract of land granted by Congress had been drained and leveled, an elliptical pond with an island at its center constructed, and four graveled walks laid out. Trees and shrubs were planted, and the garden was maintained as well as scanty funds would permit until the institute expired in 1837, one year before the termination of its charter."<ref name="botanical"/>
 
On May 26, 1824, the grounds were extended and in 1825, they were enclosed. "There seems to be no record of what improvements or plantings were made by the Columbian Institute. The institute had expended $1,500 on the grounds for walks and plantings and had asked Congress to be reimbursed, but this request was not granted."<ref name="elliott"/>
 
Although the membership roster of the Columbian Institution included many distinguished citizens and several presidents, they were unable to raise money for the greenhouse and lecture hall.<ref name="poor"/> Meetings were held in a variety of temporary offices, including a committee room in the capitol building that Congress granted use of on December 20, 1828.<ref name="rooms">{{cite news |title=Congressional. |newspaper=[[The Torch Light And Public Advertiser]] |location=Hagers-Town, Maryland|date=December 25, 1828 }}</ref>
 
Despite all the hardships, the Institute quickly launched an enthusiastic effort to collect plants and seeds.<ref name="poor">{{cite web |url=http://www.gpoaccess.gov/serialset/cdocuments/sd109-19/pdf/sec1.pdf |title=The United States Botanic Garden, Establishing a Plant Collection |first=Anne-Catherine |last=Fallen |accessdate=2010-06-18 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020025641/http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=CDOC |archive-date=2012-10-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1826, a committee was appointed to meet with heads of government departments to help solicit "all subjects of natural history that may be deemed interesting" from foreign representatives. The following year, Secretary of the Treasury, [[Richard Rush]] was also involved in the solicitation by circulating a letter to foreign dignitaries."<ref name="poor"/> In the letter he stated that President [[John Quincy Adams]] was "desirous of causing to be introduced into the United States all such trees and plants from other countries not heretofore known in the United States, as may give promise, under proper cultivation, of flourishing and becoming useful...."<ref name="poor"/>
 
The publicity was extremely successful. Plants and seeds made their way to the Institute from as far away as China and Brazil. Some came from areas nearby, such as Montgomery County in Maryland. In 1824, a ''List of Plants in the Botanic Garden of the Columbian Institute'' was prepared by William Elliot.<ref name="poor"/> The pamphlet mentioned more than 458 plants growing at that time.<ref name="elliott">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bdcWAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA492&lpg=PA492&dq=watterson+%22columbian+institute%22#v=onepage&q=watterson%20&f=false |title=Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences, Volume 8. |accessdate=2010-06-20 |work= |publisher=Washington Academy of Sciences - The Waverly Press, p.491, 1918}}</ref>
 
Sixteen years passed and by 1836, no further improvements had been made on the property. "The tract was a stagnant and malarial swamp and Congress was prevailed upon to make an appropriation of $5,000 for improvements."<ref name="improvements">{{cite news |title=Famous Botanic Garden. |newspaper=[[Oxford Leader]] |location=Oxford, Iowa|date=March 31, 1932 }}</ref> The funds were used to drain the site and erect a fountain.<ref name="fountain">{{cite news |title=The Haskin Letter (Washington, D.C.) - The New Botanic Gardens. |newspaper=[[Billings Gazette]] |location=Billings, Montana |date=January 1, 1932 |last=Haskin|first=Frederic J.}}</ref>
 
Financial woes continued to plague the Institute, and there was "never enough money from contributions for proper maintenance of the garden and plant
collections."<ref name="poor"/> The facility ceased to operate in 1837 when the society stopped holding meetings. However it was re-instituted in 1842 when the Wilkes expedition of the [[Southern Ocean|South Seas]] brought back a collection of plants.<ref name="moved"/>
 
===Wilkes exploring and surveying expedition===
[[File:Us 1845 exploring expedition.jpg|thumbnail|right|United States Exploring Expedition, 1838–1842. Engraving from "Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition", forest Illiwara, New South Wales]]
 
In 1838, Lieutenant [[Charles Wilkes]] set out on the [[United States Exploring Expedition]] commissioned by Congress<ref name="moved"/> to [[Circumnavigation|circumnavigate]] the globe and explore the Pacific Ocean.<ref name="poor"/> Between the years 1838–1842, the expedition, consisting of six government ships, traveled 87,000 miles<ref name="garden"/> and collected a large assortment of horticultural and botanical specimens. These formed the nucleus of the present garden.<ref name="moved"/> The expedition also confirmed that Antarctica was a continent.<ref name="garden"/>
 
The staff included a botanist, W. D. Breckenridge who brought back a large collection of specimens, including seeds and cuttings.<ref name="improvements"/>
 
Because the garden was situated in a swamp, early attempts at cultivation were not successful, however, during 1842; a revival was made after the Wilkes Expedition brought many rare plants to Washington from the Fiji, Sandwich and Society Islands, New Zealand and South America.
 
During this trip, Wilkes collected live and dried [[Biological specimen|specimen]]s of plants and was one of the first to use [[wardian case]]s to maintain live plants on long voyages. Members of the expedition returned with a massive collection of plants previously unknown in the United States.
 
The dried specimens comprised the core of what is now the National Herbarium, an [[herbarium]] curated by the [[Smithsonian Institution|Smithsonian Institution's]] [[National Museum of Natural History]].
 
The live Wilkes specimens and [[seed]]s "were transferred successively to frames in 1844 and to the Old Patent Office greenhouse, the first building on the site, where they remained until 1850.<ref name="swamp"/> At that time, a botanic garden was built to house the collection in front of the Capitol, where the [[Capitol Reflecting Pool|reflecting pool]] is now located. They were moved again in 1934.<ref name="swamp"/>
 
===U.S. Botanic Garden===
[[File:Us 1870 botanic-garden palm-house.jpg|thumbnail|left|180px|Palm House, 1870]]
[[File:South_National_Mall_Washington_DC_1863.jpg|thumb|right|The Botanic Garden in the foreground in 1863]]
[[File:US Botanic Garden Conservatory.jpg|thumb|right|The Conservatory|The Conservatory]]
[[File:Main Atrium U.S. Botanic Garden.jpg|thumb|right|Main Atrium of the U.S. Botanic Garden]]
The very tract of land the Botanical Garden of the Columbian Institute occupied became the site of the United States Botanic Garden in 1850, thirteen years after the demise of the institute.
 
In 1867, Congress provided money for the construction of the first greenhouses. The main conservatory building was erected, {{convert|30|ft|m}} long with a dome {{convert|60|ft|m}} high.<ref name="fountain"/>
 
Several historic trees stood on the site, including the ''Crittenden Oak'' which marks the spot where [[John J. Crittenden]] made an address in an effort to avert the Civil War; ''the Beck-Washington Elm'', a scion of an elm earlier planted by Washington himself; a plane tree which [[Thaddeus Stevens]] brought from the ''Vale of Cashmere''; a sycamore planted by Senator [[Daniel W. Voorhees|Daniel Voorhees]]; a Chinese oak from the grave of Confucius; two cedars of Lebanon; and several others that have historic associations.<ref name="fountain"/>
 
The ''Bartholdi Fountain'', the work of [[Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi]], the same sculptor who designed the [[Statue of Liberty]] in New York Harbor stood in a central site in the gardens, however, it was placed in storage for several years to make way for the memorial to General Meade, the hero of Gettysburg.<ref name="fountain"/>
 
The garden "was formally placed under the jurisdiction of the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress in 1856 and has been administered through the Office of the Architect of the Capitol since 1934. The Architect of the Capitol has served as Acting Director of the United States Botanic Garden and is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Garden and for any construction, changes, or improvements made."<ref name="architect">{{cite web |url=http://www.aoc.gov/cc/Botanic_Garden.cfm |title=Capitol Campus: U.S. Botanic Garden |accessdate=2010-06-20 |publisher=[http://www.aoc.gov/index.cfm The Architect of the Capitol, Washington, D.C.]}}</ref>
 
===Talk of expansion and move===
 
[[File:Bartholdi Fountain - Washington, D.C..jpg|thumb|[[Bartholdi Fountain]] in Washington, D.C.]]
[[File:USA-US Botanic Garden0.jpg|thumb|Main building of the United States Botanic Garden]]
A discussion about moving the garden began in Congress in August, 1922. "It appears likely that the public features of the present garden will be transferred from the west side of the Capitol to the north side and that a new botanic garden and arboretum on an adequate scale will be established not far from the Capitol."<ref name="moved">{{cite news |title=Botanic Garden Must Be Moved - Congress Discusses Its New Site. |newspaper=[[Haskell News]] |location=Haskell, Oklahoma|date=August 10, 1922 |first=John Dickinson|last=Sherman}}</ref>
 
The site of the original garden was fewer than {{convert|13|acre}}, in comparison to the famous [[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew|Royal Botanic Gardens]] at Kew in London, which had {{convert|288|acre}}. The [[Botanical Garden in Berlin|Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum]] in Berlin, Germany, has over {{convert|1325|acre}} and was established at a cost of over $4 million. In comparison, $1,416,748 was spent on the garden in Washington between the years 1842–1922. This included the original appropriation for the Wilkes expedition.<ref name="moved"/>
 
Senate resolution 165 was passed and a committee was formed to review the acquisition of a new site. Lieut. Col. Clarence O. Sherrill, Corps of Engineers, secretary and executive officer of the fine arts commission, compiled a report on the garden.<ref name="moved"/>
 
It was felt that the botanic garden must be removed because when Congress established the location of the Grant Memorial in the garden-area, technically, it forced the garden out. "Such was the intention of Congress."<ref name="moved"/>
 
The action was entirely logical. That space was designed by President [[George Washington]] and Maj. [[Pierre Charles L'Enfant]] as an open approach to the Capitol, which is shown on the original plan to the city. "It was proposed at that time that this area should be subject to ornamentation with memorials, foundations, and the like, but not shut off by walls and fences. Locating the Botanic Garden in this area was one of those serious mistakes made in the early part of the century whereby the great plan for the Nation's Capital suffered damage that has continued to this day."<ref name="moved"/>
 
Sherrill's report pointed out that the goal of Congress was to restore the Mall to its original status as a park connection between the legislative and executive departments. Congress had paid the Pennsylvania Railroad $1.5 million to remove its tracks from the Mall. "The new National Museum Building, the Agriculture Department buildings, and the gallery for the Freer collections all have been located with reference in the general plan. Slowly, but steadily, changes in conformity with that plan are now being carried out throughout the entire 2½ miles from the Capitol Grounds to the Lincoln Memorial. The removal of the Botanic Garden is essential to the development of the great composition."<ref name="moved"/>
 
"If Congress desires to continue a garden for the purpose of obtaining flowers for its members and for growing shrubs to disseminate throughout the country, both of these purposes can be subserved quite as well by glass houses and gardens in other accessible locations."<ref name="moved"/>
 
It was also felt that the new location would provide enlargement of the Capitol Grounds on the north which affords an area for gardens of great beauty and distinction "through which will pass all visitors to Washington and a large proportion of those persons who daily go to the Capitol and Library of Congress."<ref name="moved"/> The old location was seen as assessable to only "an insignificant fraction of visitors or residents" and that the removal of the garden from the west side of the Capitol to the north side made the features of the garden more available.<ref name="moved"/>
 
An exhaustive search was made of several areas available for garden purposes and Mount Hamilton, a privately owned site, was chosen. The tract fronted the Anacostia River and carried a variety of soils in such condition that "very little preparation for the uses of a botanic garden would be needed and very little grading other than that required for roads."<ref name="moved"/>
 
The tract had north, south, east and west slopes and a level area on Hickey Road that would work well for greenhouses and herbaceous gardens, while the other sloped areas would be ideal for shrub and small flowering-tree arboretum uses. The entire area contained about {{convert|400|acre}} and would "afford an entrance to Washington of unequaled beauty."<ref name="moved"/>
 
In the future, it was felt that the garden could be expanded by "that portion of the park between the Pennsylvania Railroad and Benning Bridge contains about {{convert|563|acre}}, lowland and water, thus furnishing ample opportunity for expansion on land not subject to overflow for lowland and fresh-water exhibits."<ref name="moved"/>
 
The Commission of Fine Art made recommendation that the Mount Hamilton tract be acquired for a national botanic garden and arboretum; by purchasing {{convert|400|acre}} of land, at least {{convert|800|acre}} of Government-owned lands will be made available. Also, a park entrance to the city from the north will be provided. Additionally, the public features of the "present" botanic garden be transferred from the west side of the Capitol to the north side to lands already owned by the Government.<ref name="moved"/>
 
===New location===
[[File:Us botanic-garden map.jpg|thumb|right|Map of the National Garden]]
In 1933, the main building was moved to its present location on the National Mall, just to the southwest of the Capitol, bordered by Maryland Avenue on the north, First Street on the east, [[Independence Avenue (Washington D.C.)|Independence Avenue]] on the south, and Third Street on the west.<ref name="Botanic Garden" /> The facility includes a conservatory and {{convert|2|acre}} of outside grounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usbg.gov/conservatory/index.cfm|title=Conservatory|work=[http://www.usbg.gov/index.cfm United States Botanic Garden]|publisher=United States Botanic Garden|location=Washington, D.C.|accessdate=10-07-08}}</ref> Directly across Independence Avenue is [[Bartholdi Park]], an outdoor display area, and an administration building.<ref name="Botanic Garden" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usbg.gov/gardens/bartholdi-park.cfm |title=Bartholdi Park |work=[http://www.usbg.gov/index.cfm United States Botanic Garden] |publisher=United States Botanic Garden |location=Washington, D.C. |accessdate=10-07-08}}</ref> Located on {{convert|3|acre}} west of the conservatory and opened to the public on October 1, 2006, the National Garden provides living laboratories for environmental, horticultural, and botanical education.<ref name="National Garden">{{cite web |url=http://www.usbg.gov/gardens/national-garden.cfm |title=National Garden |work=[http://www.usbg.gov/index.cfm United States Botanic Garden] |publisher=United States Botanic Garden |location=Washington, D.C. |accessdate=10-07-08}}</ref><ref name="newsite">{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/bootbearwdc/75446226/ |title=US Botanical Garden |work=[https://www.flickr.com Flickr]|publisher=Yahoo, Inc. |accessdate=2010-06-20 |year=2010}}</ref> The major features of the National Garden are the Rose Garden, the Butterfly Garden, the Lawn Terrace, the First Ladies' Water Garden, the Regional Garden, and an outdoor amphitheater.<ref name="National Garden" />
 
===Plant production facility===
 
A plant production facility in Anacostia, Washington, D.C., includes greenhouse bays and a support facility for the garden. The U.S. Botanic Garden Production Facility, covers {{convert|85000|sqft|m2}} under glass, and is the largest support facility for a botanic garden in the United States. It houses collections currently not on display, including plants recuperating. Seasonal plants are also grown at the facility for use in the Supreme Court, Library of Congress and for replenishing the Capitol grounds. An estimated 100,000 mums, pansies, cabbage, kale and other annuals and perennials per year are grown in the facility. Additionally, foliage plants for the Senate offices and palm trees for Capitol Hill events as well as special seasonal displays such as [[Lilium longiflorum|Easter lilies]] and [[poinsettias]] are all grown on site. "According to staff botanists, there are about 50,000 plants on hand at the production facility at any one time.<ref name="production">{{cite web |url=http://www.gardendesignonline.com/gardendesignonline/2010/03/us-botanic-garden-r-r-for-plants.html |title=US Botanic Garden - R & R for Plants |accessdate=2010-06-20 |work= |publisher=Garden Design Online, 2010}}</ref>
 
===Current operation===
 
Presently, the United States Botanic Garden is home to almost 10,000 living specimens, some of them over 165 years old.<ref name="garden"/>
 
The national monument was closed for [[renovation]]s on September 1, 1997, and reopened to the public on December 11, 2001. At the time of closure for renovation, plants in the collection were placed in storage at the USBG Production Facility, retired to greenhouses in Florida, or composted.
 
== Facilities ==
[[File:US botanicBotanic gardenGarden 3Conservatory.jpg|thumb|right''Conservatory'']]
[[File:ModelFlickr Reflecting- PoolUSCapitol in US- BotanicBartholdi GardenPark.jpg|thumb|right|A''Bartholdi modelPark'' version ofwith the National Mall seen''Conservatory'' in the U.S.background Botanic(far Gardenleft).]]
[[File:Preparations underway for Orchid Symphony exhibit at U.S. Botanic Garden (12642653823).jpg|thumb|Many plants for exhibits and events are grown at the offsite ''Production Facility'' before being added to the garden.]]
[[File:US botanic garden 2.jpg|thumbnail|right]]
The USBG proper consists of three locations: the '''Conservatory''', '''Bartholdi Park''', and the '''Production Facility'''.
 
The Conservatory is a [[Conservatory (greenhouse)|conservatory]] housed in a [[Lord & Burnham]] [[greenhouse]]. It is divided into separate rooms, each simulating a different [[habitat]]:
The historic [[Lord & Burnham]] [[greenhouse]], built by the Architect of the Capitol in 1933, contains eight garden rooms under glass, totaling {{convert|28944|sqft|m2}} of growing space. In 2001, the Conservatory re-opened after a four-year renovation that required it to be completely dismantled and rebuilt using 21st century building standards.<ref name="architect"/> The Conservatory is divided into separate rooms, each simulating a unique [[habitat]]:
* The Garden Court
* Rare and Endangered Plants ([[rare species]], [[endangered species]])
Line 138 ⟶ 53:
* Jungle ([[jungle]] species; this is the largest of the rooms, and includes a second-story [[Footbridge|catwalk]] so that the jungle [[canopy (biology)|canopy]] may be observed from both below and above)
* Children's Garden ([[courtyard]]; features many thriving [[temperate]] [[Annual plant|annuals]] used to encourage interest in plants)
* Southern Exposure (courtyard), on the south side of the building, is surrounded by glass walls, receiving more warmth. It features many plants from the [[Southeastern United States|Southeast]] and [[Southwestern United States|Southwest]], which would not be able to live in the colder [[District of Columbia]] climate if not for the [[microclimate]])
 
Except for the Hawaiian house, the galleries, and the south lobby, none of the conservatory has [[air conditioning]]. Each room is closely monitored by computer-operated sensors to maintain the environment best suited to the plants in that room. [[Humidity]], [[sunlight]] and [[temperature]] are regulated by means of a misting system, retractable shades and levered windows. All plants are watered daily by hand. Construction was completed on the {{convert|3|acre|ham2|adj=on}} '''National Garden''' on the U.S. Botanic Garden's west border, in October 2006 and the garden includes a regional garden of plants native to the [[Atlantic Coastal Plain]] and Piedmont, a [[rose garden]], a [[butterfly garden]], and the First Ladies Water Garden, a [[water garden]] in memory of the [[First Lady of the United States|First Ladies of the United States]]. The National Garden construction was funded by the National Fund for the U.S. Botanic Garden which now exists as a 'friends group'.
 
[[Bartholdi Park]] lies just south of the Conservatory, across Independence Avenue. It is named for the [[Bartholdi Fountain]] in the garden's center designed by [[Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi]]. One of the goals of this garden is to provide inspiration and ideas for home gardeners who visit it. It displays a variety of small structured and non-structured gardens, and infuses color, shape, and planting themes. One section of the garden is certified as a [[National Wildlife Federation]] Backyard Wildlife Habitat. The Park also houses the administrative building for the United States Botanic Garden.
 
The Production Facility in [[Southwest, Washington, D.C.|southwest D.C.]] is used for growing and storing plants for [[plant propagation|propagation]], for collection maintenance, or for display in upcoming annual shows.
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The USBG participates in [[CITES]] (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), which means that it cares for plants seized by [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection|Customs]]. It specializes in [[orchid]]s and [[succulents]].
 
== Wilkes plantsPlants ==
There are four plants in the garden that are believed to be directly related to the original [[Wilkes Expedition]].
 
* The Vessel Fern (''[[Angiopteris evecta]]'') situated in the Jungle, is a [[fern]] believed to be the direct [[Progeny (genetic descendant)|progeny]] of the Vessel Fern brought back on Wilkes' ship. Because of the lifespan of Vessel Ferns, it is highly unlikely that the present fern is the original; however it is believed that the present fern is a direct descendant and genetically identical to the original, called a [[Cloning|clone]] or a [[cutting (plant)|cutting]].
* The Ferocious Blue Cycad (''[[Encephalartos horridus]]'') is a [[cycad]] questionably one of the original Wilkes plants. Due to its size and possible age, some believe this plant to have come back with the expedition in 1842; unfortunately, early records are incomplete and inaccurate, so this is left to speculation.
* The Queen Sagos (''[[Cycas circinalis]]''), which are cycads, live in the Garden Court. The U.S. Botanic Garden cares for both a male and a female of the [[species]], and both were brought back with the Wilkes Expedition.
 
== Education ==
There are many different educational programs and events offered by the United States Botanic Garden, though these largely take the form of educational tours. There are tours of the Conservatory and tours of the outdoor gardens, as well as a weekly tour of the medicinal plants housed by the gardens and seasonal tours of various other areas. These tours all last approximately one hour and provide an intimate look at the horticulture cared for by the United States Botanic Garden.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.usbg.gov/tours-us-botanic-garden|title=Tours at the U.S. Botanic Garden {{!}} United States Botanic Garden|website=www.usbg.gov|access-date=2020-04-20}}</ref>
 
School field trips are encouraged and virtual tours are also available.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usbg.gov/teachers-schools-and-field-trips|title=Teachers, Schools, and Field Trips {{!}} United States Botanic Garden|website=www.usbg.gov|access-date=2020-04-20}}</ref>
 
There is a weekly yoga class held in the outdoor garden, various lectures on a variety of horticultural and botanic topics, and a weekly virtual cooking demonstration.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usbg.gov/programs|title=Programs and Events {{!}} United States Botanic Garden|website=www.usbg.gov|access-date=2020-04-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usbg.gov/cooking|title=Cooking Demonstrations {{!}} United States Botanic Garden|website=www.usbg.gov|access-date=2020-04-20}}</ref>
 
Additional educational resources are available through the US Botanic Garden website--including a greenhouse manual, botany fact sheets, lesson plans, and coloring pages of the plants housed by the gardens.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usbg.gov/educational-resources|title=Educational Resources {{!}} United States Botanic Garden|website=www.usbg.gov|access-date=2020-04-20}}</ref>
 
== 200th AnniversaryGallery ==
<gallery mode="packed">
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the US Botanic Garden's original 1820 charter, renowned artist [[Patrick Dougherty (artist)|Patrick Dougherty]] created a custom sculpture, which stands on the Lawn Terrace just west of the Conservatory and will continue to do so throughout the celebratory year 2020. Dougherty created the sculpture using [[willow]], locally harvested invasive [[Ulmus pumila|Siberian elm]], [[Acer platanoides|Norway maple]], and non-native cherry hybrids. Visitors are encouraged to touch and wander through the sculpture, but are asked not to climb on it or pull on the individual sticks.<gallery>
Aerial view of Washington, D.C.14549a.tif|Aerial view of the area, with the gardens located in the bottom right.
File:USBG Dougherty Sign.jpg|Sign nearby the 200th Anniversary sculpture
US Botanical Garden Atrium (Lobby).jpg|Inside the greenhouse lobby.
File:USBG Dougherty 20201.jpg|Image of one side of the US Botanic Garden's 200th Anniversary sculpture, created by [[Patrick Dougherty (artist)|Patrick Dougherty]]
Primary greenhouse walkway @ United States Botanic Garden (Winter 2024).jpg|Inside primary greenhouse, showing tropical walkway.
File:USBG Dougherty 20202.jpg|Image of one side of the US Botanic Garden's 200th Anniversary sculpture, created by [[Patrick Dougherty (artist)|Patrick Dougherty]]
Primary greenhouse enclosure @ United States Botanic Garden (Winter 2024).jpg|Primary greenhouse roof.
File:USBG Dougherty Close-Up.jpg|Close-up image of the US Botanic Garden's 200th Anniversary sculpture, created by [[Patrick Dougherty (artist)|Patrick Dougherty]]
AOC Gardener for the U.S. Botanic Garden (8358656742).jpg|One of the gardeners that maintain the plants.
Orchid Symphony exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden (12750092225).jpg|Orchid Symphony exhibit.
U.S. Botanic Garden in May (23481970380).jpg|[[American robin]] (''Turdus migratorius'') at one of the gardens.
Syrphus P1350253a.jpg|[[Syrphus]] on a [[asteraceae]] flower.
U.S. Botanic Garden with Capitol Dome.jpg|[[First Lady of the United States|First Ladies]] Water Garden.
Gorgeous Orchids Showcased at US Botanic Garden VOA 3ba736b2-66ad-4569-a47b-da9c0228e269 hq.webmhd.webm|View inside the conservatory highlighting orchids on display. (Video).
</gallery>
 
== References ==
{{reflistReflist}}
 
== External links ==
{{commonsCommons category|United States Botanic Garden}}
* {{Official|https://www.usbg.gov}}
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* {{cite web|url=http://www.usbg.gov|title=United States Botanic Garden|publisher=Official website of the United States Botanic Garden, Washington, DC|accessdate=2010-07-08}}
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* {{cite web|url=http://www.usbg.gov/history/A-Botanic-Garden-for-the-Nation-The-United-States-Botanic-Garden.cfm|title=A Botanic Garden for the Nation: the United States Botanic Garden|publisher=United States Botanic Garden, Washington, DC|accessdate=2010-07-08}} Website contains a link to download a free electronic version of an illustrated 180 page book about the U.S. Botanic Garden (Botanic Garden for the Nation: the United States Botanic Garden. Publisher: Congress, Architect of the Capitol, United States Botanic Garden, 2007.)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140305145749/http://www.tanglewoodconservatories.com/heritage/us-botanical-garden-conservatory.htm U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, Tanglewood Conservatory]
 
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[[Category:Botanical gardens in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:History of the United States (1789–1849)]]
[[Category:United States Capitol grounds|Botanical Garden]]
[[Category:Southwest Federal Center]]
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