Welcome to April in DC, our most famous month for flowering - of cherry blossoms, especially along the Tidal Basin. Find out where to see them by clicking “Where to See Cherry Blossoms in the DC Area” on this website. It’s predicted that they’ll peak April 11-14 in 2015.
But here we’re showing off the DC area’s gardens that are open to the public in all their April glory. Discover DC gardens beyond the cherry blossoms! Lots more photos coming in 2015.
Gardens in Washington, D.C.
The Franciscan Monastery
Located in the Brookland section of N.E. Washington, D.C. (Monastery website.)
Click Franciscan Monastery in April has a slide show of tulip-packed gardens, and more.
Click here for hours. Blooms by month times listed here. The architecture is always worth a visit. In season there are garden tours. Directions here. Admission is FREE.
The National Arboretum
Located in NE Washington DC and consists of 14 major gardens on its 466 acres. (Arboretum website.)
Click National Arboretum in April for video and photos taken there in April of recent years.
Click here for hours. It’s always FREE.
U.S. Botanic Garden
Located at the foot of the Capitol, the Botanic Garden includes the Conservatory, the 3-acre National Garden, and across Independence Avenue, Bartholdi Park. (USBG website.)
Click U.S. Botanic Garden in April for a slide show and video.
The Conservatory and National Garden are open daily 10-5 all year long. Bartholdi Park never closes. Admission is FREE.
Smithsonian Gardens
The Smithsonian has 12 gardens to visit, all on or near the National Mall. They’re FREE. More visitor information here.
Click Smithsonian Gardens in April for a slide show tour.
Dumbarton Oaks
Dumbarton Oaks gardens were designed by landscape architect Beatrix Farrand and are now owned, along with the mansion and other facilities, by Harvard University. Dumbarton Oaks is located in Georgetown.
Visiting Dumbarton Oaks – click here for hours, etc.
Click Dumbarton Oaks in April for a slide-show tour.
Hillwood Museum and Gardens
Hillwood Museum and Gardens, located on 25 acres in Washington, D.C., were once owned by Marjorie Merriweather Post. The Museum holds the most comprehensive collection of Russian imperial art outside of Russia, a collection of 18th-century French decorative art, and much more.
Click for visitor information.
Photos of the Hillwood Gardens are also here on Flickr.
Click here for a slide-tour tour of Hillwood Gardens in April.
Tudor Place
Tudor Place Historic House and Gardens is located in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington.
Visiting Tudor Place: Click here for hours, directions, and suggested donation.
Click here for a slide show of Tudor Place in April.
Gardens in Maryland
Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland
Click Brookside Gardens in April for a slide show of Brookside Gardens in April of recent years.
Click here for hours and directions. Always FREE.
Gardens in Virginia
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia
Click Meadowlark in April for a slide show of the gardens.
Click here for hours and directions.
Green Spring Gardens in Fairfax, Virginia
Click Green Spring Gardens in April for a slide show of the gardens.
Click here for hours and directions. Always FREE.
Mount Vernon
Located 15 miles south of Washington along the Potomac, the historic estate includes not only the George and Martha Washington’s home but also a host of colonial era buildings, beautiful gardens, a working distillery and gristmill, and a museum and education center.
Visiting Mount Vernon – Click here for hours and directions.
Click here for more photos of Mt. Vernon in April.
River Farm
River Farm the banks of the Potomac River in Alexandria, VA is the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society. Click here for hours and directions.
Click here for a slide show of River Farm in April.
