We visited the US Botanic Garden’s annual “Season’s Greenings” display titled “Roadside Attractions” featuring plant-based recreations of iconic sights from across the United States, with G gauge model trains chugging around, below, through and above the displays.

This giant pistachio nut is 30 feet tall, made out of concrete, and finished with 35 gallons of paint. Located on a pistachio farm, the owner built it as a tribute to his father, who was a big fan of roadside attractions. It also serves to catch the attention of passing travelers and attract them into the gift shop that sells all kinds of pistachio-based products.

Building materials: kiwi vine, tobacco leaves, gourd, salal leaves, ruscus leaves, willow, honeysuckle vine, driftwood

The end of fall and beginning of winter, posted earlier: