United States National Arboretum, Research arboretum in Northeast Washington, D.C., United States.
The United States National Arboretum is a research facility in Northeast Washington, D.C., bringing together collections of azaleas, conifers, and aquatic plants across more than 440 acres (178 hectares). Paths wind through themed gardens, over hills, and beside small ponds that each showcase specific plant groups and growing techniques.
Congress established the site in 1927 to advance plant research and public garden culture. After World War II, landscape architects expanded the themed gardens and introduced new collections.
The National Bonsai and Penjing Museum displays miniature trees shaped through Japanese and Chinese horticultural methods. Visitors see how trimming and wiring create small-scale forms that mirror full-grown trees in nature.
Entrances lie along New York Avenue and Bladensburg Road in the northeast part of the city. Walking paths and driving roads cross the grounds, so visitors can either drive or explore sections on foot.
On a hilltop stand 22 Corinthian columns removed from the original Capitol building during its 1958 expansion. The columns now form an open colonnade in an open field, offering a wide view across the city.
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