The Ripley Garden: A Fragrant Legacy at the Smithsonian
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
May 25, 1988
On this day, dear garden enthusiasts, we celebrate the dedication of a horticultural gem nestled in the heart of our nation's capital - the Ripley Garden at the Smithsonian.
Allow me to paint you a picture of this verdant oasis, a testament to the power of vision and the beauty of accessible gardening.
Imagine, if you will, a garden tucked snugly between the Arts and Industries Building and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
This is no ordinary plot, mind you. The Ripley Garden is a sanctuary for the rare and unusual, a home to trees and shrubs that might raise an eyebrow of even the most seasoned botanist, alongside a vibrant tapestry of annuals and perennials.
But what truly sets this garden apart, dear readers, is its design.
Many of its botanical treasures are displayed in elevated beds, a feature that brings the garden to eye level for visitors of all statures and abilities. For the little ones, it's a magical world brought within reach. And for those of us battling the creaks and groans of arthritis, it's a blessed relief.
No need to stoop and strain; the flowers present themselves to you, as if eager for your admiration.
This horticultural haven wasn't born of chance, but of the passion and persistence of one remarkable woman - Mary Livingston Ripley.
Picture, if you will, a lifelong plant scholar and collector, a woman whose love for growing things was matched only by her determination. When faced with the prospect of a parking lot overtaking a prime piece of Smithsonian real estate, Mary envisioned instead a "fragrant garden."
In 1978, she rallied the Women's Committee of the Smithsonian Associates - a group she had founded in 1966 to raise funds for Smithsonian projects - to support her verdant vision.
A decade of planning and planting followed, culminating in the garden's dedication on this day in 1988. In a fitting tribute, the Women's Committee named the garden after their founder and friend, Mary Livingston Ripley.
Mary's life, much like her garden, was filled with fascinating details.
Her obituary in 1996 revealed a woman of many talents:
During the twenty years her husband worked at the Smithsonian, [Mary] frequently accompanied him on scientific expeditions to exotic reaches throughout the Far East. She volunteered her time to fundraising and gardening exhibits at the museum.
Mary was an avid gardener at her homes in Washington and in Litchfield. She was the person behind the Smithsonian's huge collection of orchids.
She was also adept at skinning birds and turning over rocks in search of insects.
Can you envision it, dear readers?
Mary Ripley, sleeves rolled up, equally at home skinning birds or turning over rocks in search of insects as she was tending to her beloved gardens. A true naturalist in every sense of the word!
Today, the torch of care for this living masterpiece has been passed to the capable hands of Janet Draper, who has lovingly tended the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden since 1997.
For those of us who can't visit as often as we'd like, Janet's updates on the Smithsonian Gardens Twitter feed offer a tantalizing glimpse into the ever-changing tapestry of blooms and foliage.
I must confess, dear friends, that I have the pleasure of being connected with Janet on Facebook.
Her posts, showcasing the garden's rare specimens and stunning floral displays, are nothing short of astounding. It's as if one could reach through the screen and touch the petals!
Having had the joy of meeting Janet during a Garden Bloggers Fling in DC some years ago, I can attest to her warmth and dedication.
Her passion for the Ripley Garden is palpable, and her stewardship is a fitting continuation of Mary Livingston Ripley's legacy.
As we tend to our own gardens today, let us take a moment to appreciate the Ripley Garden and the women who have nurtured it.
May it remind us that with vision, persistence, and a love for growing things, we can create beauty that uplifts and inspires for generations to come.