Imagine a 1950s suburban cul-de-sac: Identical houses sit behind identical lawns carpeted with identical blades of grass. Anyone who’s attempted to maintain dozens of square feet of grass knows the frustration that comes with the task, and the results aren’t always visually appealing. Landscape architects Wolfgang Oehme and James van Sweden disrupted this style of lawn maintenance by replacing grass with perennials and ornamental plants to create a tapestry of greenery. Although this style of lawn design can now be replicated with a trip to any Home Depot, the National Building Museum pays tribute to Oehme and van Sweden’s ingenuity with its new exhibition, “The New American Garden.” Focused on the work of architects at the D.C.-based practice, the show also looks at the work of artists who inspired them and showcases projects the architects completed in Chicago, New York, and throughout the District. The exhibition is on view Mondays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. $7–$10. (202) 272-2448. nbm.org.