German-American Friendship Garden

The German-American Friendship Garden is a public garden located along Constitution Avenue between 15th and 17th Streets Northwest that displays plants native to both Germany and the United States. The space contains multiple planting beds arranged around two fountains at its center.

The garden was dedicated in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl to mark 300 years of German immigration to the United States. The project emerged from a desire to honor the long relationship between the two countries through a shared public space.

The garden embodies the shared heritage of German and American cultures through its design and plantings that represent both traditions side by side. Visitors experience a space that tells the story of connection between the two nations through the way it is laid out and planted.

The garden sits within the Washington Monument grounds and is easily accessible on foot, with seating areas near the fountains where visitors can rest. Since this location draws large crowds throughout the year, visiting in early morning or late afternoon hours tends to be more comfortable.

Landscape architect Wolfgang Oehme designed the original layout in 1983, merging traditional German horticultural methods with American native plants. This blend of different plant traditions creates something visitors will not encounter elsewhere in the city.