Every year on George Washington's birthday, Mount Vernon welcomes visitors to Washington's Tomb for a presidential tribute. This special ceremony includes reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, Washington's prayer for his country, and the placement of a boxwood wreath.
Boxwood was a significant plant in the 18th century. Washington planted it in the upper garden, using it to divide the cultivated bed from the walkway.
![Boxwood lines he pathways in the upper garden.](https://mtv-drupal-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/files/resources/boxwoodreplanting.jpg?VersionId=UMHGQ2a1TjF4xW6qKzWf89ViCK79.gxV)
Dean Norton, Mount Vernon's director of horticulture, makes the boxwood wreaths by hand.
"It's a great connection with George Washington to make a wreath placed in the Tomb," Dean said.
Watch the video and learn how the wreath is made: