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Dinosaurs at the U.S. Botanic Garden!

December 23, 2025
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An open-mouthed tyrannosaurus rex sculpture appears to roar at the sky. In the background, beyond some bare trees, is a partially-obscured U.S. Capitol Building.
Tyrannosaurus rex and U.S. Capitol

This year’s U.S. Botanic Garden outdoor holiday exhibit is the best one yet! I will not tolerate dissenting opinions on this because, through January 4, 2026, THE U.S. BOTANIC GARDEN HAS GIANT DINOSAURS!

Yes, the exhibit is supposed to be about trains or something. But I’m unable to focus on them because of THE GIANT DINOSAURS!

An argentinosaurus sculpture, visible from its long neck to its head, appears to chew greenery. In the near background are train tracks. In the far background is the dome of the U.S. Capitol Building.
Argentinosaurus and U.S. Capitol

Last year, the outdoor holiday exhibit was about pollinators. I mean, that’s fine. Pollinators are important. They just need better publicists because we all know that INSECTS EXHIBITS AREN’T EVEN IN THE SAME UNIVERSE AS GIANT DINOSAUR EXHIBITS! (That previous statement is not scientifically accurate. Obviously, dinosaurs and pollinators are in the same universe, just not the same era of Earth’s geologic history. I was being dramatic. Be glad that you did not have to experience my dinosaur exhibit enthusiasm in person.)

HERE ARE MORE PHOTOS OF GIANT (miniature) DINOSAURS ON THE CAPITOL GROUNDS!

The sculpture of a rodent-like creature (spinolestes xenarthrosus) appears to sniff around the forest floor. Behind the creature is the engine and first car of a miniature train.
Spinolestes xenarthrosus and train
A pteranodon sculpture appears to fly beneath a railroad bridge being crossed by a miniature train with an engine, two cars, and a caboose.
Pteranodon and train
The sculpture of a steropodon, which resembles a platypus, is poised on a tree stump with the end of a miniature train in view. The last car of the train includes a shipping container that reads "United States Botanic Garden."
Steropodon and train
Astrodon sculptures, two large and one small, appear to walk through a swampy, half-shaded area.
Three astrodons
An unidentified dinosaur sculpture that looks like a badger walks with another creature in its mouth.
Unnamed terrifying dinosaur

Holidays at the U.S. Botanic Garden also include an indoor display. It contains no GIANT DINOSAURS, but it’s still wacky.

Since 1992, Paul G. Busse and his Applied Imagination workshop have been making botanical artwork based on Washington D.C. buildings for the U.S. Botanic Garden. The Washington Post wrote a great article awhile back about Busse and his creations.

Botanical artwork of a person on a horse atop a pedestal. Artwork is set among flowers inside the U.S. Botanic Garden.
Ulysses S. Grant Memorial, Paul G. Busse’s Applied Imagination workshop

A helpful docent let me know that the U.S. Botanic Garden commissions a new botanical artwork building every 2-3 years. This year didn’t include a new commission, but the most recent acquisition–a replica of a summerhouse on the grounds of the U.S. Arboretum–is on display.

Front view of botanical artwork of a one-storey, hexagonal building with an arched entrance. Coils like octopus arms decorate the roofline of the building. Artwork is set among flowers inside the U.S. Botanic Garden.
U.S. Capitol Grounds and Arboretum Summerhouse, Paul G. Busse’s Applied Imagination workshop, front view
Top view of botanical artwork of a one-storey, hexagonal building. The center of the building has what appears to be a font or a fountain. Artwork is set among flowers inside the U.S. Botanic Garden.
U.S. Capitol Grounds and Arboretum Summerhouse, Paul G. Busse’s Applied Imagination workshop, top view

I can’t be the only one who looks at Applied Imagination’s artwork and thinks of the cards from Dominion Dark Ages Ruins and Shelters. (Or maybe I can be the only one.)

Botanical artwork of a spiral staircase inside a domed greenhouse building. Artwork is set among flowers inside the U.S. Botanic Garden.
U.S. Botanic Garden Victorian Palm House (ca. 1869), Paul G. Busse’s Applied Imagination workshop
Botanical artwork of a fountain with a sculpture of women holding a large basin adorned with Victorian-era lamp lights. Artwork is set among flowers inside the U.S. Botanic Garden.
Fountain of Light and Water, Paul G. Busse’s Applied Imagination workshop

More botanic artwork buildings from previous years can be see in the second half of my 2022 post.

I arrived late to understanding that the U.S. Botanic Garden holiday exhibits are awesome. But now I look forward to each off-the-rails outdoor display and the next Gothic-inspired indoor exhibit. And to more GIANT DINOSAURS!

Botanical artwork of an elongated castle with four turrets and a large clock on the castle's front. Artwork is set among flowers inside the U.S. Botanic Garden.
Smithsonian Castle, Paul G. Busse’s Applied Imagination workshop
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