Plant roots are vital but often unseen components of ecosystems. The exhibition "Exposed: The Secret Life of Roots" showcases the importance of roots through photographs, sculptures, and preserved plant specimens. It features the work of photographer Jim Richardson, sculptor Steve Tobin, and agricultural ecologist Dr. Jerry Glover. Glover developed a method of growing plants in tubes that preserves their root structures after removal. The exhibition aims to increase understanding of roots and soils, which are crucial but fragile parts of global systems.

1. 6/12/2015 Exposed: The Secret Life of Roots | United States Botanic Garden
http://usbg.gov/exposed­secret­life­roots 1/3
Search this site
HOME
Exposed: The Secret Life of Roots
East Gallery
February 21 through October 13, 2015
Hidden Treasures
Plant roots are vital components of the earth's ecosystem. They are necessary for all plant growth, including the production of
food and nutrients for humans and many other organisms. However, as root systems are out off sight, their beauty and
importance often go unnoticed. Exposed: The Secret Life of Roots showcases the presence and importance of roots through
visually stunning root representations using the work of agricultural ecologist Dr. Jerry Glover, sculptor Steve Tobin, and
photographer Jim Richardson.
ABOUT US GARDENS VISIT LEARN GROW SUSTAINABILITY

2. 6/12/2015 Exposed: The Secret Life of Roots | United States Botanic Garden
http://usbg.gov/exposed­secret­life­roots 2/3
Photography and Sculpture
Jim Richardson is a photographer for the National Geographic Society. His
photographs in this exhibits capture the disparity in the aboveground and belowground
biomass of plants. His series on soil profiles, hung in the Classroom and National
Garden (spring through fall), highlight striking differences in global soils and the human
struggle to grow food.
Steve Tobin is a celebrated sculptor who specializes in nature­inspired works. Two of
his pieces on display spring through fall on the U.S. Botanic Garden grounds, Romeo
and Juliet, are bronze casts of tree roots washed out from a riverbank. The other two
sculptures are from his Steelroot series.
Roots Exposed
Agricultural ecologist Dr. Jerry Glover studies the importance of healthy soils and their
relationship to plants. While working at The Land Institute in Salina, Kansas, he helped
develop a method of growing and preserving plants.
Plants are grown in "root tubes," 10­foot sections of 12­inch diameter PVC pipe containing a special baked clay material.
After removal from the tubes, plants are soaked in a glycerin and water solution to prevent them from rotting. See these
preserved plants in the East Gallery.
International Year of Soils
Soils are layers of minerals and organic matter that are critically connected to a diverse array of organisms from worms to
bacteria. They are the foundation for much of life on Earth and are a crucial component of global nutrient and water cycling.
Soils are also fragile and largely non­renewable, and thus their conservation is extremely important. Learn more about soils
in the National Garden spring through fall.
Terrace Plantings
The raised beds on the Conservatory Terrace feature living displays of plants found throughout Exposed: The Secret Life of
Roots. Highlights include "root" crops (plants grown for their underground roots, leaves, and stems) and native prairie plants.
Explore both the dried and live versions (spring through fall) of these prairie plants throughout the Conservatory Terrace and
East Gallery.
Check out the American Roots Concert series, celebrating the "roots" of American music!

3. 6/12/2015 Exposed: The Secret Life of Roots | United States Botanic Garden
http://usbg.gov/exposed­secret­life­roots 3/3
Printer Email PDF Like
Home Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy United States Botanic Garden Conservatory
100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 226­8333