Indulge in a colorful midwinter escape as naturalist and botanical horticulturist Keith Tomlinson leads a series of virtual visits that highlight the beauty of notable botanical gardens around the world including sites in Germany, the East and West Coasts of the United States, Morocco, and our nation’s capital. Vibrant visuals explore how each garden takes a unique approach to design and interpretation as they all celebrate plant collections, conservation, education, and the distinctive environments and landscapes in which they bloom.
February 9 – Frankfurt’s Palmengarten and Washington, D.C.’s United States Botanical Garden
Based mainly around historic conservatories, these two classic gardens are steeped in the history of their respective cities. While collections focus on tropical, desert, and Mediterranean regions, each garden is enhanced by beautiful landscaping and outdoor temperate collections. Both have a history of supporting conservation efforts for global plant diversity.
February 16 – South Carolina’s Brookgreen Gardens and Anima Garden in Morocco
Sculptures of all kinds inhabit gardens around the world, but these two pleasure gardens embody monumental art as a principal component of exhibition. From the Atlantic Low Country of South Carolina to the foot of Morocco’s towering Atlas Mountains, the history and setting of these gardens couldn’t be more different. Yet they share a similar engaging aesthetic theme.
February 23 – The Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California, and the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens
It’s said that more plants of different kinds can grow in the Los Angeles Basin than almost anywhere else in the world. Combine the soothing Mediterranean climate with irrigation and horticultural wonders abound. Only a few miles apart, Huntington Gardens and the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden are very different institutions that exhibit a botanical cornucopia from around the world.
Presenter Keith Tomlinson has worked as a naturalist and public garden administrator for 25 years, visiting wilderness areas and botanical gardens around the world. He is the author of numerous articles on plant conservation, botanical garden travel, and environmental education.
The series cost is $60 for Smithsonian members, $75 for nonmembers, or you can sign up for any individual session. To register visit https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/series/botanical-gardens-winter2025
