@usbotanicgarden

Red spider lily (Lycoris radiata), another member of the Amaryllis family, is blooming throughout the Mid-Atlantic. While this vibrant red bloomer will grow in full sun to part shade, it gives the best flowers when in part shade. Originally native to Japan, L. radiata is USDA hardy zones 7-10. "Radiata" in the name is Latin for spoke, referring to the spreading flower tepals.

Join us Thursday, Sept. 8, for a free online program " Ask an Expert: Growing Carnivorous Plants at Home (Online Q&A)!" Carnivorous plants are fascinating flora, but can be challenging to grow at home. Join Zach for this online Q&A to learn a variety of tips and tricks to care for carnivorous plants. Bring your questions and your curiosity! Register at www.USBG.gov/Programs Presenter: Zack Leibovitch, Gardener, U.S. Botanic Garden DATE: Thursday, September 8, 2022 TIME: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET LOCATION: online FREE: Pre-registration required. Register at www.USBG.gov/Programs

Another member of the amaryllis family is blooming in the Garden — golden magic lily (Lycoris aurea). Native to China and Japan, it blooms in late summer, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, and is hardy to USDA zones 7-10.

What an exciting photo of our Tropics house in our Conservatory by visitor @emerritt4 ! With the central dome rising 93 feet high, the house is able to house full size palms, cycads, and other tropical plants from around the world. Tag us in your photos; we love seeing the Garden through visitors’ eyes!

Come explore the special stickwork sculpture artist Patrick Dougherty designed to celebrate our 200th anniversary in 2020. It’s on display in the gated outdoor gardens through September 30. We’ve loved having it for three years, and invite you to come enjoy it again before it’s gone! www.USBG.gov/Dougherty

It's International Dog Day! Plants and pets can coexist! Check out this program recording with veterinarian and USBG volunteer Dan Teich to learn how to have a happy home with both flora and fauna. https://youtu.be/aJAuwcHEVN0 (live link in bio)

We've been delighted to host five summer interns this year, and each did a capstone project such as a pepper and tomato grafting project, an integrated pest management project, and a historical review of Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens. This year's interns are: * Imani C. (Horticulture Collections intern), studying Environmental Horticulture and Entomology at the University of Maryland, * Laila G. (Administration intern) – studying Forensics & Psychology at Loyola University Maryland, * Krystal W. (Horticulture Gardens & Grounds intern) – studying Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at Delaware State University, * Caroline S. (Horticulture Gardens & Grounds intern) – studying Sustainable Plant Systems specializing in Horticulture at The Ohio State University, * Kelly L. – (Learning and Engagement intern) – studying Political Science and Environmental Studies at Christopher Newport University Thank you for being part of our team this summer, and we wish you all the best on your continued studies! If you’d like to learn about internship opportunities here, visit www.USBG.gov/Intern. [Photo shows interns with a corpse flower bloom earlier this summer.]

This beautiful bloom of Cereus dayamii cactus, native to Argentina and Bolivia, opened this morning in our World Deserts house.

Join us for a free online program “Cooking with Foraged Acorns with @blackforager “ She’s fabulous, funny, and a forager — join Alexis Nikole Nelson (@blackforager) to learn how to use foraged acorns to make delicious savory and sweet treats. Presenter: Alexis Nikole Nelson, Forager, Cook, and Content Creator Intended Audience: All Levels: Suitable for all learners, this program will provide a variety of content. Program providers will answer both introductory and more advanced questions. DATE: Saturday, October 8 TIME: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET LOCATION: online FREE: Pre-registration required. Register at www.USBG.gov/Programs (live link in bio)

Join USBG gardener Amanda for a free online program tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. about the basics of seed saving, where she'll answer your questions and help you get started with this age-old practice. Register at www.USBG.gov/Programs

Surprise lilies (Lycoris squamigera) are finishing their vibrant blooms throughout the D.C. area! These members of the amaryllis family are native to Japan and are hardy to USDA zones 5-9. Have you seen them blooming in your neighborhood?

A new report co-authored by @mortonarb, U.S. Botanic Garden, @bgci_us, @natureserveorg, @u.s.forestservice, and others, completed threat assessments for all 881 native tree species in the contiguous United States, finding 11-16% of tree species in the U.S. are threatened with extinction, with the greatest threats being invasive pests and diseases. They also found that two genera dominate the tree flora of the U.S.: oaks (Quercus) and hawthorns (Crataegus), with 85 and 84 native species, respectively. Oaks and hawthorns were also found to have the most threatened species, with 17 and 29 species, respectively. The result is a comprehensive checklist and assessment that will serve as a critical baseline to guide future tree #conservation efforts. Until now, most species native to the continental U.S. were not assessed or were outdated. Learn more by clicking the link in bio!