On a recent stroll through Washington D.C’s Capitol Hill, green is sexy was lucky to stumble upon a blossoming gem amongst the stately buildings of the forefathers – The United States Botanic Garden.

A beautiful building complete with a large greenhouse, the first thing that hits you as you walk through the front door of the USBG is the fresh smell of flourishing plants and flowers – kind of like the smell of a swimming pool minus the chlorine. The next surprise is that it doesn’t cost a penny to proceed further. And from there – the plant world is your oyster.

The list of plants and flowers to see, touch, and smell is endless – from delicious orchids to Baja fairy dusters, sky high banana trees to tiny succulents, even endangered species like the paphiopedilum glaucophylium (say that 5 times fast). And they’re all thriving under the excellent care of the botanists @ the USBG. The gardens are broken up into different rooms to represent different regions around the world. One minute you’re amongst the cacti in the desert and the next you’re transported to the wilds of the jungle complete with swinging vines (though swinging is not at all recommended).

Each month the Botanic Garden hosts a different exhibit. This month’s focus is Hawaii, featuring rare and endangered plants as well as lava flow, a waterfall and other island features. The much anticipated One Planet – Ours exhibit arrives for the summer with a focus on plant sustainability. A Junior Botanist Program is offered for the younger crowd that includes an explorer’s lens and field journal and the opportunity for your budding botanist to observe the plants where you live and report back to the USBG. They even have a Sprouts program for the tiny tots including a story, art activity and garden walk… oh to be a sprout again.

But this isn’t just kids stuff – the gardens are a great way to reconnect with flora from all corners of the globe, year round, whatever your age. Its a cheap date for your special somebody or somebody you want to be your special somebody, or go solo and meditate on the secrets the Botanic Garden will expose – some of which you might never have the opportunity to see in your lifetime…until now.

For more information on the Botanic Garden as well as upcoming events, exhibits and even recipes and gardening tips log onto www.usbg.gov/