Season’s Greenings at the U.S. Botanic Garden
Season's Greenings at the U.S. Botanic Garden is a holiday display made from plants and other natural materials with a model train show
Season’s Greenings at the U.S. Botanic Garden is a holiday display befitting a garden as each decoration is made from natural materials. Lining the Garden Court are replicas of recognizable DC landmarks, all made from plants. Notice that the roof of the Jefferson Memorial is made from a gourd. Each landmark is remarkably detailed considering the material it is made from; peek inside the model of the Lincoln Memorial to see a tiny Abraham Lincoln made from plants. A botanical version of the National Museum of African American History and Culture joined the other landmarks for the first time in 2017. The metal lattice adorning the outside of the museum was recreated using slices of walnuts. A model of DC’s Union Station was added in 2018.
The Botanic Garden selects a new theme each year for the displays around the model trains. In 2016, the theme was National Parks; 2015 highlighted pollinators. The 2017 theme featured classic Roadside Attractions, and 2018 had iconic train stations. The 2019 theme is America’s Gardens, highlighting other botanic gardens from across the United States.
In addition to the special exhibits made from plants, thousands of poinsettia blooms in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors are on display throughout the Botanic Garden. These include both heirloom and newly developed varieties. The names of different types of poinsettias (like “Jingle Bells” and “Red Glitter”) are often just as fun as the blooms themselves.
The Botanic Garden is open every day of the year, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. The Season’s Greenings display is the least crowded in early December and on weekdays. Adventurers visiting at a busy time should be aware that the Botanic Garden sometimes opens a separate entrance for the model train display to help manage the crowds. Make sure you get in the right line if you want to see the train display (and you should!). The 2017 display featured a model of The Big Chair, which is Washington, DC’s very own Roadside Attraction. In 2019, the U.S. Botanic Garden’s own Bartholdi Fountain will be part of the train display. After checking out the trains, you can then go into the rest of the conservatory to view the remaining displays.
On Tuesday and Thursday evenings throughout December, the Botanic Garden stays open until 8:00 pm with live holiday concerts. The music includes jazz, folk, and choral music. View the full holiday concert schedule on their website. The first time I visited in the evening for a concert, I was concerned that the displays would be hard to see at night. The warm glow in the conservatory at night is quite magical, however, and I quickly came to prefer it over the crowded weekend hours. As an added bonus, there are fewer children visiting at night, making it easier for the kid-at-heart to get a good view of the model trains. The colorful lights in The Tropics (the central room with the domed roof) are especially lovely.
Two new additions in 2019 are a gift shop open on Wednesdays through Sundays and hot beverages for sale on weekends throughout the display and weekdays from December 13 – January 1. Season’s Greenings at the U.S. Botanic Garden is one of my favorite Christmas activities. The DC landmarks made from plants are reused every year while the theme for the model train display changes. This blend of the familiar with the new is perfect for the holidays and makes it a Christmas tradition that keeps me coming back every year.
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Address
U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave SW
Metro Station
- Federal Center SW (OR, BL, SV)
- Capitol South (OR, BL, SV)
- L’Enfant Plaza (OR, BL, SV, GR, YL)
- Judiciary Square (RD)
Cost
Free
Hours
The 2019 exhibit runs from November 28, 2019 to January 5, 2020.
Open daily from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Extended hours through 8:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays in December.
Length of Adventure
1 hour
