Washington D.C. The Smithsonian Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden is an ornamental garden providing interest in all four seasons. The garden displays roses classified as “modern,” that is, roses created after 1867.
Whether you are planning a trip to the Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden, or just interested seeing it from afar, this post will show you the beauty in the Garden. A Garden Travel Guide for the Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden is located at the end of the post to assist you in planning your trip.
Smithsonian Folger Rose Garden
The All-American Rose Selection Association highly rates all the garden’s roses. Several of the roses have won acclaim for their perfume.
The best time to bring your sniffer is warm, sunny days when the soil is moist and the scents are the strongest, or when the roses are ready to be pollinated. Follow the bees or look for about half-open flowers for an aromatic experience.
The rose names are often as sweet as their smell. Medal winners include ‘Double Delight,’ ‘Tiffany,’ ‘Fragrant Cloud,’ ‘Angel Face’ and ‘Mister Lincoln…hold on, ‘Mister Lincoln?’ Doesn’t sound enticing, if you catch my drift, but it is probably delightful.
Perennials are designed to set off the roses perfectly. The rose garden is maintained by using an integrated pest management system. The practice controls pests in a way that is the least hazardous to people and the environment while preventing the spread of disease.
The Rose Garden was dedicated by Mr. and Mrs. Lee Merritt Folger in honor of their mother, Kathrine Dulin Folger (1904-97). Kathrine Dulin Folger was a supporter of horticulture and the Smithsonian Institute.
Additional Resources
Learn more about the Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden on the Smithsonian Gardens website.
Read about the Smithsonian Garden in this well-researched book with over 160 color photographs: A Guide to Smithsonian Gardens by Carole Ottesen.
Learn about roses with Shelley Gaskins, a Smithsonian Gardens horticulturist.
Visitors Guide to the Smithsonian Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden
Where is Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden?
Address: 990 Jefferson Dr. SW, Washington, DC 20560, USA. Located between the Smithsonian Castle and Arts and Industries Building.
How to Best Experience the Folger Rose Garden
The garden runs parallel to the National Mall and is not gated. June is National Rose month and a perfect time to visit the Rose Garden. But, even off-season, there are a few roses in bloom and perennials step up to carry the show.
Parking at the Folger Rose Garden
Public transportation is encouraged. There is no dedicated Garden parking. Limited on-street parking is available in areas near the gardens, including reserved spaces for visitors with disabilities.
You can book guaranteed parking in nearby garages in advance with ParkWhiz. The gardens are a 5-minute walk from the L’Enfant Plaza stop and a 5-minute walk from the Smithsonian stop. View a map of the closest Metro stations.
Hours Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden
The gardens are open 24/7, and they are FREE to visit.
What restaurants are near Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden?
The Castle Cafe
A small cafe is located inside the Smithsonian Castle next to the Garden. This is a convenient place to pick up something to drink if you want to sit in the gardens for a bit. I don’t recommend the food.
1000 Jefferson Dr. SW, Washington DC, DC 20560-0008. 0.1 miles (less than a minute’s walk) Inside the Smithsonian Castle, next to the Rose Garden. 10 am to 4 pm (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
Dolcezza
The coffee stop in the Hirshhorn Museum lobby has locally sourced and handcrafted gelato, specialty espresso drinks, and gourmet pastries. Admire the stunning contemporary setting designed by world-renowned artist Hiroshi Sugimoto.
Hirshhorn Museum, Independence Ave SW & 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20560. 0.2 miles (about a 3-minute walk) from the Folger Garden. Free admission to enter the Hirshhorn museum and lobby. Mon-Sun: 10 am – 5 pm.
Mitsitam Cafe
The National Museum of the American Indian cafe, Mitsitam, means “Let’s eat!” Enjoy the indigenous cuisines of the Americas. Five food stations—Contemporary Native; Mountains and Plains; Native Comfort; Oceans, Sea, and Streams. Entrance to the museum is free.
4th Street and Independence Ave. SW, Washington DC, DC 20560. Inside the National Museum of the American Indian. 11 am – 4 pm, 7 days a week.
What hotels are near Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden?
Hilton Washington DC National Mall
Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf features a rooftop terrace and puts you just a 5-minute drive from National Mall.
480 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024. 0.34 (7-minute walk) from the Folger Rose Garden.
Holiday Inn Washington Capitol – National Mall
Popular in this area is the Holiday Inn Washington Capitol. Bonus: It is pet friendly.
550 C St SW, Washington, DC, 20024. 0.5 (9-minute walk) from Folger Rose Garden
Also, see eating and hotel recommendations in the Garden Travel Guides to the Smithsonian Gardens Washington DC.
Author’s Note: My recommendations are not sponsored; they are my personal experience or researched suggestions.
Other Gardens Nearby
The closest Smithsonian Gardens are the Mary Ripley Livingston Garden, the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden, and the Enid A. Haupt Garden. All are within a 1 -2 minute walk.
There are 13 Smithsonian Gardens near or on the National Mall. For a complete list of Smithsonian Garden locations on the National Mall, see 13 Smithsonian Gardens You Can Enjoy for Free .
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