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Orchids in the greenhouse

Gardens

Explore 13 acres of fall gardens in bloom.

What's in Bloom

Set on twenty-five acres adjacent to Rock Creek Park, Hillwood’s gardens feature a diverse and fascinating array of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, offering something to see in every season. 

Highlights in the greenhouse:

  • March is orchid month and the cymbidium bench is something to behold! Their thin green foliage mixed in with crotons makes a wonderful backdrop to the stunning number of flowers in bloom. Cymbidiums are native to the foothills of the Himalayans. As such, they need cooler temperatures compared to other orchids and actually like a touch of frost to set flower buds. Enjoy the show!
  • The moth orchid collection (Phalaenopsis) seems to have spikes opening daily. With a variety of colors and sizes, it is no wonder that these sturdy plants are so popular. Moth orchids like “low” light and can feel right at home in an east-facing window. They are relatively easy to grow because they enjoy temperatures typically found in our homes.
  • Corsage orchids were a favorite of Marjorie Merriweather Post. Their large flowers and lovely colors make them a showstopper. Rhyncholaeliocattleya Willis Harrington ‘Lines’ is no exception with soft lavender blousy blooms the size of your hand. Found in Central and South American rainforests, corsage orchids grow clinging to tree trunks and branches sometimes high above the forest floor.

Plants to note in the gardens:

  • Last fall, staff and volunteers planted nearly twenty-three thousand bulbs for the spring seasonal display. Early bloomers are opening now like the Hyacinth ‘Blue Jacket’ in the motor court. Their scent wafts on the breeze. The wonderful deep blue flowers do not last long though but will be followed up by thousands of tulips throughout the grounds. 
  • The weeping Higgin cherry tree (Prunus subhirtella var. pendula) in the Japanese-style garden is in full bloom and the Yoshinos (Prunus x yedoensis ‘Akebono’) are not far behind. Lovely from the terrace or up close, the cascading white flowers contrast well with a backdrop of green. A staple in the Washington area, warm March temperatures are pushing the blooms to open faster than anticipated. See these beauties while you can.
  • The saucer magnolias (Magnolia x soulangeana) are also in full bloom. These small, deciduous trees may go unnoticed at other times of the year but overflowing with large, elegant, goblet-shaped flowers makes them hard to miss now. A specimen in the western Lunar Lawn bed has two-toned petals with white above and purplish-pink below. Saucer magnolias were developed by crossing two magnolia species native to China.
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The Cymbidium bench is full of color

The cymbidium bench is full of color

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Stunning colors and patterns of the Phalaenopsis collection

Stunning colors and patterns in the phalaenopsis collection

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Large blousy blooms of Rhyncholaeliocattleya Willis Harrington ‘Lines’

Large blousy blooms of Rhyncholaeliocattleya Willis Harrington ‘Lines’

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Spring bulbs are coming on strong like the Hyacinth 'Blue Jacket'

Spring bulbs are coming on strong like the Hyacinth 'Blue Jacket'

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Prunus subhirtella var. pendula in bloom

Prunus subhirtella var. pendula in bloom

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Magnolia x soulangeana overflowing with flowers

Magnolia x soulangeana overflowing with flowers