At the National Arboretum

On Saturday, after visiting Kenilworth Aquatic Garden, we crossed the Anacostia River to visit the National Arboretum.

It was a very warm day and our thinking was that amongst the trees, it would be much cooler.  This turned out to be slightly flawed logic as the Arboretum has a number of different tree gardens but it also has large swaithes of open grassland.  (Afterwards we discovered that many people use their cars to get from one area to another..)

These extraordinary 'Capitol Columns' were removed from the Capitol Building during a refurbishment around fifty years ago and found their new home as a focal point in this large meadow.

The herb garden, featuring this neatly clipped knot garden parterre at its centre,  was interesting - and featured the only elderflower bush that I have yet seen in the US.

The roses were over, just a few final blooms..

The bees were busy of course..

At the edge of the herb and rose garden, some colourful chillies..

There is a wonderful collection of bonsai trees at the Arboretum..

Unfortunately it was just too hot and bright to spend the time looking at everything, we will definitely visit again, perhaps in the Autumn or next Spring.