The National Garden Takes Root

In 1986 President Ronald Reagan signed legislation creating the rose as the national floral emblem for the United States, and plans began to find a site in the nation's capital to showcase roses. The U.S. Botanic Garden was selected, and the National Garden was dedicated in 1995 to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the legislation creating the U.S. Botanic Garden, but it took more than 10 years to create. The National Garden opened on October 1, 2006, and its stewardship was turned over to the U.S. Botanic Garden. The garden educates visitors about the diversity of American plants and their importance to the environment, helps connect people to nature, and demonstrates the relationships between plants, water, and humans. It was made possible by a collaboration between the U.S. Congress, the Joint Committee on the Library, the National Fund for the U.S. Botanic Garden, the U.S. Botanic Garden, and the Architect of the Capitol. The National Fund for the United States Botanic Garden was established as a 501(c)3 in 1991 to fund and build the National Garden using non-federal funds, and it now supports the educational activities of the U.S. Botanic Garden.

Washington, District of Columbia · United States