Photo of the Pollinator Garden at NMNH during the fall.

Living Plant Collections

Smithsonian Gardens Living Plant Collections are grown especially for education, horticultural display, conservation, and research. Learn more about individual plants by using our searchable database, Plant Explorer. Plant Explorer is intuitive, but if you would like to see a guide to walk you through some of its features, check out our StoryMap here.

Close up photo of an orange and red orchid, Cymbidium Claude Pepper 'Muskateer'

Orchid Collection

Close up photo of a grass showing fall color.

Display Collection

Light shines through a tree's yellow leaves in the Fall.

Tree Collection

Orchids on many benches in greenhouse being misted

Living Collections Management

Close up photo of a tree's fall color leaves with NMAAHC in the background

Explore Our StoryMaps

Collage which introduces Plant Explorer. Cornus alternifolia variegated foliage with flower on left, ornamental Malus fruits on center top, Pinus strobus cone and foliage on center bottom, Prunus subhirtella 'Autumnalis' flowers on right. Text reading "Be A Plant Explorer" centered.

Explore Our Gardens with Plant Explorer