Arboretums and Botanical Gardens to Visit in Dulles

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When considering a vacation, or even just a day out with the family, why not consider visiting a local arboretum or botanical garden?  You can enjoy a delightful getaway with a visit to one of these beautiful gateways to all that nature has to offer.

Arboretums and botanical gardens work to promote common respect and educate with a drive towards an appreciation of the world of gardening and the insects that work to pollinate our plants and flowers. 

These nature monuments are just waiting to be discovered and welcomes all visitors for a day of tranquility, enjoying their peaceful beauty.  Make sure to check out one of the arboretums or botanical gardens listed below.

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna, VA 22182

Explore 95 acres of ornamental display gardens, unique native plant collections, and peaceful woodlands at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia. Discover local flora and fauna among lakes, forests, and meandering walking trails. Take in majestic views of the Piedmont hills, explore the Korean Bell Garden or pay a visit to our restored 18th Century log cabin.

State Arboretum of Virginia

400 Blandy Farm Ln, Boyce, VA 22620

The Virginia State Arboretum stands in the central 172 acres of Blandy Experimental Farm and surrounds the picturesque Historical Quarters building. Come explore our labeled tree and shrub collections that date back to the early 1930s from all over the world. Wandering through these remarkable plantings makes you feel as if you’re traveling through a foreign forest. Walkthrough the largest Conifer collection in the Southeast. Experience a 300 hundred tree Gingko grove in the fall season. Stand under our many towering Virginia State Champion trees. Browse America’s largest boxwood library and stroll down a Cedar of Lebanon allee. Bring the dog, the kids, or your favorite walking buddy next time you visit Virginia’s State Arboretum.

United State Botanic Garden

100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20001

Learn about the corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum), also known as the stinky plant, at the United States Botanic Garden. Once fully open, the huge bloom may remain standing for 24 to 48 hours and then will collapse quickly. Learn more and watch the live camera here.

McCrillis Gardens

6910 Greentree Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817

McCrillis Gardens is a naturalistic garden, offering shady woodland walks and splashes of color, especially in spring.  Tucked into a residential neighborhood in Bethesda, the five-acre property was donated to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in 1978 by its owners, William and Virginia McCrillis, and is managed by Brookside Gardens.  The Gardens feature paths that wind through the remarkable collection of ornamental trees and shrubs, along with bulbs, groundcovers, and shade-loving perennials that add year-round color and texture.  A pavilion and benches provide restful vantage points. McCrillis Gardens is reminiscent of a secret garden hidden in the heart of Bethesda!

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