The U.S. Botanic Garden is located at the base of the U.S. Capitol Building at the eastern end of the National Mall. It includes the Conservatory, (click here to see what’s blooming in the Conservatory); the National Garden with its prominent rose and regional collections; and the stunning two-acre Bartholdi Park.

• Click here for a slide show and video of the U.S. Botanic Garden in September.
• The Conservatory and National Garden are open daily 10-5 all year long. Bartholdi Park never closes. Admission is FREE.

The National Gallery Sculpture Garden occupies 6 acres on the National Mall, along Constitution Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets. The Pavilion Café offers year-round café service, along with indoor seating.

• Click here for a slide show and video of the Sculpture Garden in September.
• In September it’s open Monday and Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm. Sundays 11 am– 6 pm. Entrance is FREE.

National Cathedral’s Bishop’s Garden. The National Cathedral’s 59 acres were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. and include the formal Bishop’s Garden, Olmsted Woods, and more.

• Click here for a slide show and video of the Bishop’s Garden in September.
• The Bishop’s Garden and Cathedral grounds never close, and are FREE.

The National Arboretum is a 446-acre park with multiple gardens. It’s located in Northeast Washington.

• Click here for a slide show and video of the Arboretum in September.
• Click here for hours. It’s FREE.

The famous Hillwood Museum and Gardens are located in N.W. Washington on the 25-acre former estate of 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 here for a slide show of the Hillwood Gardens in September.
• Click here for hours.

Tudor Place Historic House and Gardens are located in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington. With its 5½ open acres, Tudor Place remains one of America’s last intact urban estates from the Federal Period.

• Click here for a slide show of Tudor Place in September.
• Visiting Tudor Place: Click here for hours, directions, and suggested donation.

Dumbarton Oaks garden, named the 6th best garden in the world by the National Geographic, is located in Georgetown.

• Click here for a slide show of Dumbarton Oaks in September.
• Visiting Dumbarton Oaks – click here for hours, etc.

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, on almost 700 acres in Northeast Washington, is the only national park devoted to cultivated water-loving plants.

• Click here for a slide show and video of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in September.
• Click here for hours and other visitor info.

Gardens in Northern Virginia

Green Spring Gardens is Fairfax County, Virginia’s public garden.

• Click here for a slide show of Green Springs Garden in September.
• Click here for more visitor information.

River Farm in Alexandria, Virginia, on the banks of the Potomac, Farm now serves as headquarters of the American Horticultural Society.

• Click here for a slide show and video of River Farm in September. Photos by American Horticultural Society member and frequent visitor Jim Sohn.
• Click here for hours and directions.

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia is a fabulous 95-acre public garden and park.

• Click here for a slide show of Meadowlark in September.
• Click here for hours and directions.

Gardens in Suburban Maryland

Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD is Montgomery County’s 50-acre public display garden. In addition to many outdoor gardens, Brookside features two conservatories for year-round enjoyment.

• Click here for a slide show of Brookside Gardens in September.
• Click here for hours and directions.