The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History has just opened the exhibit Butterflies + Plants: Partners in Evolution which features an interior Butterfly Pavilion. The Pavilion showcases multiple species of tropical butterflies as well as over 250 nectar and pollen producing plants in an enclosed climate-controlled setting.

The Horticulture Services Division supplies and cares for the plants exhibited in the 500 square feet of planting display space and assures that they are grown in a pesticide-free environment. Over 100 plants are rotated into the Pavilion several times a week in order to provide a constant source of fresh nectar and pollen for the butterflies. When necessary, spent plants are disposed of in accordance with USDA requirements.

The varieties of flowering plants highlighted in the Butterfly Pavilion will change throughout the year depending on seasonal availability.

HSD manages photographic, artifact and living plant collections. To learn more about these collections and their resources see:

• Archives of American Gardens
• Garden Furnishings and Horticultural Artifact Collection
• Orchid Collection

Interested parties are encouraged to contact us for more information about accessing these materials.

The Smithsonian's Horticulture Services Division hosts an Annual Orchid show, developed in collaboration with the United States Botanic Garden.

Orchids, Through Darwin’s Eyes, the 15th Annual Orchid Exhibit, will be held at the National Museum of Natural History from January 24 to April 27, 2009.

This exhibit will feature live orchids, a fossilized bee specimen with a pollinia (pollen packet) of an extinct orchid attached to it, a family tree of orchid genealogy, excerpts from Darwin’s writings, and more recent evolutionary discoveries related to the orchid family. All of this will illuminate the connections that have been and continue to be made between orchids and the processes of natural selection and adaptation.

2008 - An Alphabet Garden of Orchids, the 14th Annual Orchid Exhibition, was held at the United States Botanic Garden.

2007 - Orchids: Take a Walk on the Wild Side was held at the National Museum of Natural History.

2005 - Orchids Express was held at the National Museum of Natural History.

2003 - Natures Jewels was held at the Arts and Industries Building.