WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Botanic Garden, which sits at the foot of Capitol Hill, usually isn't high on the list of places to visit in the nation's capital.
But it's a little gem under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol that's adjacent to the Capitol Reflecting Pool.
While the garden's greenhouses aren't strangers to amazing flora, the Conservatory Garden Court is currently playing host to "Orchid Mystique," a showcase of orchids from around the globe that is on display through April 29.
HuffPost took a walk through the U.S. Botanic Garden this weekend to examine the great diversity of the orchid family on display, with examples of the "green dragon," the "Princess Diana," and "tropic ice." Take a look at what we saw.
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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Botanic Garden, which sits at the foot of Capitol Hill, usually isn't high on the list of places to visit in the nation's capital.
But it's a little gem under the jurisdicti...
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Botanic Garden, which sits at the foot of Capitol Hill, usually isn't high on the list of places to visit in the nation's capital.
But it's a little gem under the jurisdicti...
The orchid farms south of Santa Barbara, a rock's throw from hwy 101 in California, have been in business for about 50 years. Each of them has a show room for their displays that is tantamount to a museum, except that the exhibits have price tags on them. Admittance is free, and the orchids are stunningly beautiful.
mamacat: The orchid farms south of Santa Barbara, a rock's throw
The U.S. Botanical Gardens is one of the best kept secrets in D.C. I highly recommend anyone coming to the mall to make this a high priority stop, you won't be dissapointed.
WilliamPilgrim: The U.S. Botanical Gardens is one of the best kept
Anyone who hasn't visited DC would be amazed at the variety of buildings, exhibits, and museums available to visit, and most are free.
Two hints for visiting:
1. You will be doing a LOT of walking, so wear comfortable shoes. Don't worry about looks, just worry about foot comfort. Remember, it is almost two miles from the Capital Building to the Lincoln Memorial, then add in additional distance IN the museums, and also to the other sites, like the Jefferson Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, and JFK Center for the Performing Arts. And not all the museums are on the Mall (such as the National Building Museum, Ford's Theatre National Historic Site [including the theater, Lincoln museum and Petersen House where he was taken], National Postal Museum, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, etc.).
2. Don't expect to see everything in a day or two. You can spend a full day in EACH of the Smithsonian museums on the Mall. And the kids (and the kid at heart adults) will especially like the Air and Space Museum and/or the Natural History Museum.
HoosierInMaryland: Anyone who hasn't visited DC would be amazed at the
These are just incredibly beautiful. I have an orchid that is just about to come into bloom again--this will be time 7, I think. I especially like the water feature in this exhibit.
playflute2: These are just incredibly beautiful. I have an orchid that
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The Huffington Post First Posted: 02/20/2012 9:00 am Updated: 02/20/2012 9:17 am