Exterior, U.S. Botanic Garden

United States Botanic Garden

Washington, DC


Built to resemble London’s Crystal Palace, this garden's iron-and-glass greenhouse provides a beautiful setting to view orchids, ferns and cacti. When you're done with those, seek out the so-called 'Corpse Flower,' Amorphophallus titanum, whose name translates to 'giant misshapen penis’ and whose erratic blooms smell like rotting flesh. Mmm! Alas, it only blooms every three to five years and it's not on show during its hibernation.

A rose garden, butterfly garden and water garden fill the landscape just outside the building. Bartholdi Park, a showcase of sustainable and accessible landscape design, is located on a traffic island behind the garden.


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