In 1972, Smithsonian Secretary S. Dillon Ripley established Smithsonian Gardens to extend the Institution's exhibition, research, and education efforts through horticulture. Today, Smithsonian Gardens continues that founding legacy as an accredited museum and center for horticulture, education, and research.

Welcoming 26 million visitors annually, Smithsonian Gardens is uniquely situated at the intersection of culture, science, art, history, and the environment to engage and inspire the Smithsonian’s visitors before they ever set foot in the door of a traditional museum building. Exterior and interior gardens, collections, exhibitions, and programs provide a unique platform for storytelling through the lens of plants. Smithsonian Gardens