Being the “first lady” of a certain local plant-loving group (no, he doesn’t make me call him Mr. President…) affords me all sorts of privileges: Sitting through discussions held almost entirely in Latin (Limnophilia repens, anyone?) for instance… but the things I most enjoy are the special hook-ups. He gets behind-the-scenes tours of cool places – and if I am lucky, I can tag along 
This past Sunday, Kris and I, and several of his friends from his group, went to the US Botanical Garden production greenhouses: in other words, these are the nurseries where they grow and propagate all of the things that will then be moved to the Botanical Garden on the National Mall. And it was amazing…
Greenhouse after greenhouse – new wonders inside each one of them. Since I was accompanied by several hobbyist experts (they get as excited about certain rare plants as we do for say… quiviut) I felt like I learned so much. Of course, none of the Latin names for so many of these plants actually stuck with me… but as a plant lover in my own right, I just really enjoyed seeing all of these beautiful flowers and plants nurtured and propagated.
In high school (when I lived in New Mexico) I was active in the FFA – Future Farmers of America – for a short while (before I moved to Maryland) in the Horticulture section. My class built a greenhouse and set up automatic sprinklers, and chose plants to propagate. My family – both grandfathers and my mom and dad – have always had vegetable and flower gardens, and I feel like I am continuing this legacy with my organic garden and my love of plants and composting!
We heard a few funny stories: apparently the Botanical Gardens is THE source for plants on Capitol Hill and the National Mall. So, when a Congressman wants a plant for their office or for an event, they contact the Garden. The Congressman has six free passes – if they kill more than six plants, they cannot get anymore and they have to buy their own!
Another great related tidbit: Each spring, the current First Lady hosts a First Ladies’ Luncheon for all the surviving First Ladies. The event is themed and color coordinated, and all of the flowers and plants are provided by the Botanical Garden. Since Michelle Obama’s favorite color is purple, there was a whole section of the greenhouse devoted to growing out the purple flowers and plants for her first Luncheon!
With cameras in hand, Kris and I shot photos all over those greenhouses… it was hard to not post every single one! You can see some of Kris’s photos on his blog post. I love to compare how the two of us frame our shots differently – truly the eye (and the camera) of the beholder! I have not uploaded all of the photos from the tour, but there is a nice set on Flickr of the ones that are currently processed… check it out and let me know what you think!
…while I snapped several, I thought this one was particularly fitting for Project Spectrum!
Pretty! Purple’s my fave too. Me and Michelle have so much in common.
Wow – Those are beautiful flowers. Must’ve been a great day! I particularly love that last shot. The spines from the cactus almost look like they connect to form a delicate spider web over the top. Great photo.
Love, love, love your blog, Lolly! Where did you live in NM? I lived in ABQ when I was a teen.
Such a place is a photographer’s dream, and you certainly made the most out of it! Your pictures are gorgeous!
Love that frog! Your pictures are beautiful!
Beautiful! I’m such a sucker for a pretty orchid.
Oh, so pretty! It’s always fun to be around people who are enthusiastic about a subject.
Your photography skills are truly sensational. It’s been fun to watch them develop (no pun intended!) over the years of reading your blog…
love love love the frog!
This is a really gorgeous post!
I love all those flower shots you have shown. My sister is a qualified gardener and she knows all the latin names too, some of which have been chosen just to use every letter in the alphabet I am sure. I love doing gardening too, not quite the same level but since the drought you have to try not to buy more plants that wont survive out in the heat for long. My father still has a wonderful veggie garden though, and I remember my grandfather having one too with his giant beans growing down the garden wall. I think they were called 7 year beans. I had to laugh at the mention of only 6 passes allowed. I wonder if they borrow passes for plants if they kill too many of them. I really like your posts as they are always so informative. You should have been a teacher for school kids as your knowledge and explanations are always wonderful. I am sure if you and Kris ever have children you will enjoy it immensely as the most wonderful learning experience and teaching one of your lives.
Fabulous photos! Love the little green frog. Too cute!
wow, Lolly, those pictures are stunning! I’m in love with that little green frog. He looks so peaceful, surrounded by all this green.
I’ve sent you invites to post these beauties in my groups. Just beautiful!
Wonderful pix!! l love that cactus shot with all its babies. Kris’ pix are cool too. Succulents make such nice subjects to photograph.
The frog is precious.
So beautiful pictures! They made my morning brighter and sunnier even it’s quite cloudy here. Have lovely day!
I am pretty sure you already know it, but just in case:
http://nanetteblanchard.blogspot.com/
Vegan recipes, thought that might be interesting to you.
I would almost certainly use up my 6 passes in no time!
Great photo opportunity you got there!
Lovely photos! That cactus one is beautiful. I like the little frog too though and he’s green.
What a wonderful opportunity! I know you were in heaven. Lovely shots, as always.
Love, Mom XXOO
Wow those are some amazing botanicals. I love the shot with the frog on the leaf.
So beautiful! It must have been overwhelming!!!!
You lucky (and wonderfully proud) girl! What an opportunity.
Incredible shots and just the burst of green I needed to motivate me today. Such incredible colour and depth.
What a neat privilege to get to go on that tour! My grandmother was a fantastic gardener too so I think my interest must come from her. And I am also pleased to find out Michelle Obama and I share the love of purple. I don’t know the name of that purple flower but I love it.
You got some really lovely shots. The one with the frog is great!
Thanks for sharing those two little tidbits. I wonder how many Congresspeople hit all 6 strikes.
All this vegetal beauty and then the frog in perfect equilibrium with it… Thank you for feasting my eyes!
all your photos are lovely! I especially love the cati
Oh the botany geek in me is amazingly jealous. I would LOVE to go there someday! I love the facts and pictures you brought back. They are both intriguing and amazing. Both of you guys took some fantastic photographs! The frog is so perfect where he is, in complete harmony!
Much Love to you Lolly! <3
~KnittingInk
What an amazing opportunity! I didn’t know Kris was the prez of his club – he’s very well-connected
I’m sure it must have felt very rejuvenating to be around all of those green, growing things. Do you think allowing members of Congress to plunder those plants is perhaps too special of a privilege? 
xoxo
I can see a few potential quilts in that lot – love the second and third ones particularly … and that wee froggy !!
I just visited the Botanical Gardens yesterday! It was neat to see your wonderful pictures after just being at the gardens and talking with a Lisa about volunteering. Love the orchids, but my favorites are the begonias. The frog is the best in both yours and Kris’ pictures.
Gorgeous photos (especially the frog)! I’d love to get back to the Capital someday and see these things for myself. I wonder if they’ll start giving tours of the First Lady’s new veggie garden?
Beautiful photos! I especially go for the relaxed frog
Quite interesting to learn about the plants going to the white house and Mrs Obama’s party.
The last one is magical !
Look at the frog! What fabulous pictures.
your photos are just amazing! i think the purple is my favorite but i really wouldn’t want to choose.
Wow! That last pic is my favorite, and it cracks me up that congressmen get six chances to kill plants. Whatever happened to ’3 strikes and you’re out!’?
[...] week. It turned happy plants into ecstatic plants! If you like orchids as much as I do, check out Lolly’s post about her recent trip to the US Botanical Gardens production [...]
your photos are stunning! and I really enjoyed the funny inside information
Gorgeous photos, God is an awesome Creator!
I am wicked jealous! What a lovely perk of being the first lady.
Hi do you know the name of the plant with that purple flower in your picture?
I have one in my yard and I trying to figure out what it is ?
Thanks I appreciate it
sincerely
Casey