Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens are a nature preserve with waterlilies, lotus flowers, and a tidal marsh
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is a series of cultivated ponds filled with waterlilies and lotuses. During peak bloom, it’s an understatement to say this is a hidden oasis in DC. The exotic looking lotuses grow up to six feet tall with white or pink flowers that can be up to 12 inches wide. The lilies, while smaller and less majestic, are equally beautiful as they seem to float on the water.
The Gardens started as a hobby for Civil War veteran Walter Shaw. He imported water lilies from his home state of Maine and planted them in an old ice pond on his property in Southeast DC. As his hobby took hold, he began experimenting with hybrid versions of the flower (including the W.B. Shaw and Helen Fowler varieties, which are still popular) and started selling them. His daughter Helen Shaw Fowler eventually took over the business and transformed it into a very successful commercial venture and tourist attraction. In the 1930s, the city wanted to dredge the Anacostia River, which would have destroyed the Gardens. Helen convinced Congress to purchase the property and turn it into a public park. She relinquished control of her business but saved Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens for all of us to enjoy.
The ranger-led tours are worth joining if you’re there at the right time. You’ll learn about the history of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and the different plants and animals that inhabit them. On my tour I learned that lilies are smaller than lotus flowers and grow closer to the water. Their leaves have a wedge cut-out, like the shape of a Pac-Man. Lotus flowers have larger leaves and are waterproof – causing water to bead up and roll off them. The leaves of the giant Amazonian lilies can grow up to six feet across and are wrinkled in appearance.
The hardy lilies stay in the ponds all year, but the tropical ones are grown in the greenhouses on site and placed in the ponds once it warms up. Lilies typically bloom from May to September, depending on the weather and type of flower. The lotuses bloom in June and July. Amazonian lilies have a short blooming season, usually for just a few weeks in early August.
The Gardens are smaller than they look on the map; adventurers only need a few hours to thoroughly explore it all. After wandering around the ponds, go out onto the boardwalk to get up close to the tidal marsh. Don’t miss the display ponds behind the visitor’s center – they have brightly colored lilies with lily pads in various patterns.
Even the heat-loving lotus flowers start to close when it gets above 90 degrees, so for the best viewing experience try to arrive at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens before noon. Although the visitor’s center doesn’t open until 9:00 am, the gate is opened at 7:00 am for those trying to beat the heat and catch that early morning light.
Kenilworth is unique in that it is the only aquatic garden in the National Park Service and the only tidal marsh in the DC area. In addition to the flowers, Kenilworth is said to be one of the best birding spots in the area. More than 150 types of birds have been spotted at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Frogs, turtles, and beavers also call the ponds home.
The Lotus Festival held in mid-July each year is a popular event, but I prefer to go when it isn’t so crowded. However, it’s worth trying to catch one of the “Park After Dark” tours during the festival in order to experience the Gardens at sunset and see the night-blooming flowers.
The Gardens do not have concession stands or restaurants nearby. Since the flowers bloom during the hot summer months, be sure to bring a water bottle that you can refill at the water fountain and wear plenty of sunscreen. It’s definitely worth braving the heat to see the ponds full of blooming lotuses and lilies and to get a peek at some cute frogs and turtles enjoying this nature preserve.
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Address
1550 Anacostia Ave NE
Metro Station
- Deanwood (OR)
Directions
Take the Polk Street exit from the metro station (to the left as you exit the fare gates). Walk down Polk Street and use the pedestrian overpass to cross Kenilworth Avenue. Turn left on Douglass Street and walk until it ends at Anacostia Avenue. Turn right and walk about two blocks until you see the entrance gates to the Gardens on your left.
Accessibility
The pathways around the ponds are just grass and earth, not paved, so they are not wheelchair accessible when the weather has been wet. If it is dry, you can also head over to the boardwalk that is fantastic for wheeling through the tidal marsh area.
Cost
Free
Hours
November to March from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
April to October from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Length of Adventure
1 – 2 hours
