Education is core to the mission of the U.S. Botanic Garden and we welcome media inquiries that help demonstrate the aesthetic, cultural, economic, therapeutic and ecological importance of plants.
For questions, to schedule an interview with staff, request photos for editorial use, or connect about a possible news/educational filming about the U.S. Botanic Garden, please contact Devin Dotson, below. The Garden is not available for photoshoots or video recordings of topics not related to the Garden.
Devin Dotson, Senior Communications Specialist
devin.dotson@aoc.gov
Phone: 202-226-4145
Experts are available to speak about topics including plant conservation, North American native plants, orchids, carnivorous plants, houseplant care, urban agriculture, corpse flowers, the Anacard family, and more.
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USBG in the News
Read a selection of recent news stories featuring the Garden’s collections, exhibits, and experts.
Quick Facts
In 1820, the U.S. Congress granted land for a national botanic garden. The United States Botanic Garden is the oldest continuously operating botanic garden in the country. It is part of the legislative branch of government and has been administered through the Architect of the Capitol since 1934.
The U.S. Botanic Garden maintains more than 9,500 accessions, comprising about 44,000 plants for exhibition, study, conservation, and exchange with other institutions. Noteworthy collections include economic plants, medicinal plants, orchids, carnivorous plants, cacti and succulents, Mid-Atlantic native plants, and ferns. Several specimens date from the U.S. Exploring Expedition (1838-1842).
There are three public components of the U.S. Botanic Garden:
- The Conservatory houses the following displays and exhibits: Garden Court, The Tropics, Plant Adaptations, Primeval Garden, Hawaii, World Deserts, Medicinal Plants, Orchids, Mediterranean, Rare and Endangered Species, Southern Exposure (seasonally), Children’s Garden (seasonally), and temporary exhibits in the East and West Galleries.
- The gated outdoor gardens (formerly "National Garden") feature a Regional Garden of Mid-Atlantic native plants, a Rose Garden devoted to the national flower, a Pollinator Garden, a First Ladies Water Garden, and an Amphitheater.
- Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens house the historic Bartholdi Fountain with gardens that showcase beautiful, sustainable, and accessible landscape design. It was renovated in 2016 using the principles of the Sustainable SITES Initiative. The accessible garden design features native plants, water-conserving rain gardens, wildlife habitat, greater accessibility, and Frederic Auguste Bartholdi's historic Fountain of Light and Water.
The U.S. Botanic Garden also serves as a rescue center for plants confiscated at U.S. borders in cooperation with CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
The Garden is a living plant museum and is accredited by the American Association of Museums and Botanical Garden Conservation International.