Our Mission: Engage. Inform. Inspire.

As a vital and vibrant part of the Smithsonian experience,
we engage people with plants and gardens,
inform on the roles both play in our cultural and natural worlds,
and inspire appreciation and stewardship.

An integral part of the Smithsonian Institution, Smithsonian Gardens creates and manages the Smithsonian’s outdoor gardens, interiorscapes, and horticulture-related collections and exhibits. Established in 1972 to manage the museum grounds, Smithsonian Gardens extends the museums’ exhibits and learning environment in a public garden setting while shaping visitors’ overall experience of the Smithsonian.