Smithsonian Gardens extends the Smithsonian’s museum experience in a public garden setting with over 180 acres of outdoor gardens including 13 public exhibition gardens often called the Smithsonian institution’s “museum without walls.” Staff also produces interior exhibits and horticultural displays around the Smithsonian, develops educational programing, and manages artifact, archival, and living collections.
In November of 1973, a Horticultural Services Division was established within the Office of Plant Services to enhance the landscaping outside the Smithsonian’s museums and add decorative greenery inside. In February of 1976, the Horticultural Services Division was renamed the Office of Horticulture within the Office of Museum Programs to recognize its role as a museum collecting program and establish horticulture as a part of the Institution’s research and education efforts.
In 2010, the horticultural program (at that time called Horticulture Services Division) was renamed Smithsonian Gardens in recognition of the meaningful role the gardens play in the Smithsonian visitor experience. At the time, the Smithsonian gardens received 30 million visitors a year, making them some of the most highly visited public gardens in the world.
Download a map of the Smithsonian Gardens here
See a list of the gardens here