With the rapid expansion of European colonies around the globe in the late 18th century, botanic gardens were established in the tropics, and economic botany became a focus with the hub at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, near London. thumb|Seiwa-en Japanese Garden, Missouri Botanical Garden, US thumb|Inside the United States Botanic Garden, Washington, D.C.
with the rApid EXpansioN of euROpEAn COloNies around the gLobE In the LaTe 18th centuRY, Botanic gArdeNS were eStAblIshEd In The TrOpiCS, anD ECoNOMIC bOtany Became A fOcUS with the HuB at the royAL Botanic GARdeNs, keW, near London. tHUmb|sEiWa-eN JAPanESE garDen, missoUrI boTANIcal gardEn, us THumB|INsiDE The united states bOTAniC gArdeN, wasHington, d.c.