Walk into Dumbarton Oaks Garden on a warm spring afternoon, and you will find yourself surrounded by the luscious mix of colors, scents, and textures of bluebells, lilies, magnolias, peonies, and dogwoods.
Beginning in 1921, Mildred Bliss, the owner of the estate, together with renowned landscape designer, Beatrix Farrand, spent almost thirty years perfecting the garden. Together they laid out the land and also selected the decorative details such as benches, sculptures, and gates. Although the garden was gifted to the United States government for the creation of a public space, the garden you see today remains largely unchanged from the original Farrand design.
The garden is divided into sections such as the lilac circle, lovers lane pool, and prunus walk. Each section has ample spots for you to sit down, rest, and enjoy the beauty. Most plants will be in bloom spring through early summer, but a visit to the garden is just as pleasant and beautiful during fall and winter.
While the garden remains closed due to Covid-19, I would recommend visiting their website, where they have over six thousand photographs, letters, and drawings detailing the history of the garden.
1703 32nd Street
Adult ticket:
US$
10
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