HPS/MAG Domestic Trip to the Smithsonian Gardens & Greenhouses in Washington, DC

Monday, June 9, 2025 to Tuesday, June 10, 2025

The gardens in D.C. will be bursting with blooms for this brief, but exciting late spring trip to visit the Smithsonian Gardens and Greenhouses and to bid Janet Draper all the best in her upcoming retirement. Janet is the Smithsonian’s Mary Livingston Ripley Garden Horticulturalist and led us on a fantastic tour of “her garden” when HPS/MAG visited D.C. in April 2024. On this trip, Janet and her crew will walk us around the outside of several of the Smithsonian museums and talk about the gardens and how each garden was planned to fit with the identity of its museum.

We will start at the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden and then walk over to the American Indian Museum and view their garden. Lunch will be at the American Indian Museum. From there we will slowly make our way over to the African American Museum. There will be quite a bit of walking so plan accordingly. 

Our hotel will be the Hampton Inn & Suites National Harbor/Alexandria Area. The hotel is situated overlooking the National Harbor. There are lots of dining and entertainment venues in the area for Monday evening.

Tuesday morning we will have a tour of the Smithsonian Greenhouses, a very rare opportunity. After touring the greenhouses, we will travel to Cavano’s Perennials and Putnam Hill Nursery for shopping opportunities.

The cost of this trip is $405.00 for shared occupancy; $570.00 for single occupancy. The cost of the trip covers round trip transportation via motor coach from West Chester, PA, one night’s hotel accommodation, breakfasts and lunches, and bus driver’s gratuity. Not included are Monday night’s dinner, anything extra you charge to your hotel room, and shopping at our nursery stops.

Members are responsible for assuring that they are physically and mentally able to participate in the trip. Members will be asked if they have a mobility issue and if they will need ADA restrooms and/or accommodations. Our best efforts will be made to accommodate these needs where possible.

To register for this trip, click here.  This is a Members Only Trip, to join HPS/MAG click here.

Contact: Janice Thomas at [email protected]