November 30, 2023 at 6:47 pm
Finding out that someone you know has a talent is a gift that makes you even more grateful to know them. After a casual conversation with one of our longtime Smithsonian Gardens volunteers, I received such a gift. Annette B. Ramírez de Arellano began volunteering with SG in 2012. In 2014, she was trained as […]
May 10, 2023 at 6:37 pm
My mother loves hummingbirds, so for Mother’s Day, I added plants and a hummingbird perch to her garden that will create habitat for the bejeweled birds. While hummingbird feeders are an easy way to attract these fast flyers, they can cause issues if they aren’t maintained properly. Feeders need to be continuously cleaned for the […]
January 5, 2023 at 6:07 pm
Smithsonian Gardens (SG) and the Archives of American Gardens (AAG) had a lot to celebrate in 2022. This year marks a series of institutional milestones, including the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Smithsonian Gardens in 1972, the 35th anniversary of the formation of the Archives of American Gardens in 1987, and the 30th anniversary […]
April 26, 2022 at 11:50 am
It can be challenging in urban settings to maintain a garden while also managing the complexities of a natural ecosystem, and at Smithsonian Gardens it is no different. But one thing that we strive to do in all of our gardens is to create healthy and resilient habitats for many different kinds of wildlife. These […]
February 11, 2022 at 7:07 pm
Despite the name “sailors’ valentines,” these sentimental treasures have nothing to do with February 14th or Valentine’s Day. Instead, these tokens of love and friendship were given to wives, mothers, sisters, and friends upon a seafarer’s return from a long voyage at sea. Sailors’ valentines are octagonal wooden boxes often made from Cerdrella (Spanish Cedar) that range in […]
February 1, 2022 at 1:31 am
Valentine’s Day is one of the best times to use flowery language. From heartfelt letters to store-bought cards, we see it everywhere during this time of year. If you’re looking for a unique way to tell someone how special they are to you, consider trying out the original flowery language: floriography.Before people used emojis to […]