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 habitats lay the foundation for healthy plants, animals, and pollinators, and contribute to the beauty of the landscape.

For example, in the National Museum of American History’s woodland garden areas, leaf litter and old plant material are left on the ground.  In addition to providing nutrients as they decompose, these materials serve as microhabitats for many species of insects including bees and arthropods.  This ethos also informs SG’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies; diverse and healthy habitats attract an array of natural predators for many kinds of pests, reducing the need for synthetic or biological pesticides and promoting a robust ecosystem.  Areas like the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden are certified as Monarch Waystations, providing safe habitats and food (milkweed) for this key indicator species during their long annual migrations.  By educating visitors on the horticultural practices we employ to create these needed habitats through interpretive signage in spaces like the National Museum of Natural History’s Urban Bird Habitat and Pollinator Garden, SG helps inform the public about this critical part of our work.

Smithsonian Gardens’ aptly named exhibition, HABITAT, also highlights the importance of conserving habitats as a means of protecting the species that call them home.  Fifteen different exhibits with interpretive signage scattered across the many Smithsonian gardens and landscapes along the National Mall highlight specific biomes and species that complement each museum’s branch of knowledge.  This campus-wide exhibit is coming to a close in December 2022 so make sure to visit Smithsonian Gardens before then to learn more about these important habitats!