DC Gardens

DCGardens.com is a grassroots, independent media campaign using images of DC-area gardens by month to aid visitors. The photos are free for any purpose, with credit to the garden. DCGardens.com is also a hub for info that helps locals learn to garden and connect with the gardening and greening community.

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BIG Fall Plant Sale at #GreenSpringGardens

on Sat 9/10 9a-3p silent auction, plants, bake sale, music + more http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/

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Become a Member

Mount Vernon members enjoy free daytime admission to the estate, discounts at our restaurant and gift shops, and more!

Save on admission when you become a member of Mt Vernon! Members enjoy free daytime admission to the estate and discounts at our restaurant and gift shops.

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See the exquisite penjing and bonsai at the National Arboretum.

https://youtu.be/yHtiMzD3vuo

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya6dVfDB0oU)

The Takoma Horticultural Club commemorated the first 100 years of their existence with an afternoon reception with live music and light refreshments in the afternoon of Sunday, August 27, 2016, in the great room inside the EF Language School at 6896 Laurel St. NW, Washington, DC.

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The President honors the Natl Park Service staff who've dedicated their careers to maintaining the grounds of the White House.. see video at : http://www.snappytv.com/tc/2685063

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Enthusiastic little gardener stopped by our #tomato taste at the @freshfarmmarkets #silverspring last Saturday and got some #seeds for next season #gardendc #igdc #dtss #picoftheday #nofilter #moco #md #dmv #gardening #instagarden #seed (at Silver Spring Farmers’ Market)

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQnXFnBYKNo)

Lovely scenes from our only water garden in a National Park!

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Washington DC

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DC Gardens featured in this issue include Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens at the US Botanic Gardens.

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See albums full of Gorgeous photos of #DC area #publicgardens at http://dcgardens.com/

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Tour: Celebrating 10 Years of Trees in the National Garden                 Event Date: Thu, Aug 18, 2016Alexandra Torres, USBG Education Program Specialist In honor of the National Garden's 10-year anniversary, join Education Specialist and Certified Arborist Alexandra Torres to learn about 10 of our favorite native trees and shrubs. On this tour we will cover interesting identifying features, discover beautiful native trees and shrubs that can add year round interest to your garden, and talk about gardening tips to get your trees and shrubs growing to their full potential. Please note: Tour on August 25 is a repeat of the tour on August 18. This tour is held outdoors. We suggest bringing sunscreen, protective clothing, and water. The tour is canceled if it rains or during times of extreme heat (heat index of 95 degrees or higher/Code Red weather alert).DATE: Thursday, August 18 TIME: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. LOCATION: Tour meets by the entrance to the Conservatory on the Terrace FREE: Pre-registration required

https://m.usbg.gov/events/2016/05/21/tour-celebrating-10-years-trees-national-garden

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10th Annual Photo Show by Jacqueline H Via Flickr: Washington Gardener Photo Show Opening Reception August 7, 2016 Photos by Jacqueline Hyman

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There are other stinky, giant flowers to be found in D.C.

Public Gardens in the DC area have LOTS of funky stuff to see all-year-round!

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The Corpse Flower is OPEN! Lines are long -- but moving fast - folks are reporting via Twitter that waits are about 10 minutes. USBG is open until 11:00 pm tonight and tomorrow.

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Corpse flower to bloom at United States Botanic Garden

The corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum), also called “the stinky plant,” is about to bloom at the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) Conservatory. The plant went on display Friday, July 22. The Garden currently estimates peak bloom might happen between July 28-31. Once fully open, it usually remains in bloom for 24 to 48 hours and then quickly collapses. You can track the bloom’s progress via live video at http://www.USBG.gov/CorpseFlower. The plant is famous for its large size, pungent odor, and unpredictable bloom schedule. The bloom is the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world – reaching up to 12 feet tall in the wild. An inflorescence is a cluster of multiple flowers that in the case of Amorphophallus species looks like a single flower. The corpse flower has hundreds of flowers located at the base of the spadix (the large vertical center) inside the famous purple-maroon spathe (the part that looks similar to “petals”). The corpse flower gets its name from the putrid scent it emits while in bloom to attract pollinators such as carrion beetles and flies. Some describe the scent as a combination of garlic, fish, diapers, and rotting meat. The plant, first known to science in 1878, is native to tropical rainforests of Indonesia. Since such a large bloom requires lots of energy, it can take several years to several decades to store enough energy to bloom.  Public displays of this unique plant have occurred a limited number of times in the United States. The U.S. Botanic Garden last displayed a blooming corpse flower in 2013. The U.S. Botanic Garden is open to the public, free of charge, every day of the year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Starting this weekend, the Conservatory will stay open until 8 p.m. while the corpse flower is on display, and will stay open until 11 p.m. during peak bloom. The Conservatory is located at 100 Maryland Ave. SW, on the southwest side of the U.S. Capitol. Visitors are encouraged to use Metrobus and Metrorail. Visit http://www.USBG.gov/CorpseFlower for updates on peak bloom timing and extended hours, to learn more about the plant, and to see a live video stream.

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IMG_3929 by Jacqueline H

More photos from last weekend's Waterlily and Lotus Fest at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens​ - these are by Washington Gardener Magazine summer intern Jacqueline Hyman

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Washington Gardener July 2016 The July 2016 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine is now out. Inside this issue: ~ Fabulous Flowering Tobacco ~ When and How to Harvest Sweet Potatoes ~ Your Monthly Garden Tasks To-do List ~ DC’s Public Gardens via Public Transit ~ Gain More “Legroom” in the Garden ~ Local Gardening Events Calendar ~ Growing a Cutting Garden in the Shade ~ Meet Community Gardening Guru: Pat Lynch ~ Summer Watering Tips ~ Safer Gardening in Polluted Urban Soils and much more! Note that any submissions, event listings, and advertisements for the August 2016 issue are due by August 10. Subscribe to Washington Gardener Magazine today to have the monthly publication sent to your inbox as a PDF several days before it is available online. You can use the PayPal (credit card) online order form here: http://www.washingtongardener.com/index_files/subscribe.htm

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Great piece on transit-accessible local public gardens!

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPhAALmq7Cc)

The annual Waterlily and Lotus Fest 2016 at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens includes gardening workshops, traditional Asian & African dancing performances, and much more.