The annual Seasons Greenings display at the U.S. Botanic Garden featuring model trains running around miniature buildings in the garden greenhouses opens Thanksgiving Day and runs through Jan. 2. This year, it features new exhibits on the homes of presidents and animals, plus live music Tuesday and Thursday nights. Shimizu, the USBG’s executive director, explains the festive display. How long has the garden had this display?
I can only say years, many years. I don’t know when it actually started. I can specifically say we’ve been doing this incredibly wonderful, popular train show for I think six or seven years. It’s not just trains. We work with Applied Imagination, a company that makes buildings out of all-natural plant materials.
What are those buildings like?
One of the ones is the U.S. Capitol. … It’s essentially a model. The Capitol is made with willow twigs, acorn caps, grapevine tendrils, tobacco leaves and it’s so stunning. It’s one of a kind. … It has all the details of the Capitol but it’s all made from plants.
What’s your favorite new building this year?
My favorite is the opossum house. It’s so cute and it’s hanging by its tail. … And we have the Bartholdi fountain, which is special because it actually has water coming out of it. The reason is because the real Bartholdi fountain reopened this year.
How long did it take to set up all the trains and buildings?
It took five days of setting up. They are very good at it.
Does it cost anything?
Everything is free, and that really is so refreshing. People tell us, “You’re not selling us anything.” There’s no manipulation to get you to buy anything.
What’s the best time to go?
It’s magical at night. It heightens the experience.
– Kytja Weir
