Women Botanists & Botanical Artists
19th and 20th Century Plant Pioneers
In the winter 2018 to 2022 issues of the Arboretum Bulletin, manager of the Elisabeth C. Miller Library Brian Thompson wrote a four-part book-review series about the lives and achievements of early women botanists and botanical artists in Europe, North America, and beyond.
These fearless, pioneering women upended stereotypes and broke down barriers of male hierarchy, while contributing to the advancement of our knowledge and appreciation of plants. Read about their lives, the books they published, and their biographies, and visit the Miller Library to see and learn more.
- Part 1: Jane Webb Loudon, Frances Perry, Wendy Walsh, Ellis Rowan
- Part 2: Emma Thayer, Mary Elizabeth Parsons, Margaret Armstrong, Julia Henshaw, Edith Clements
- Part 3: Margaret Stones, Helen O’Gorman, Audrey Eagle, Emily Carr
- Part 4: Catherine Parr Traill, Mary Schäffer Warren, Mary Vaux Walcott, Julia Henshaw
Mary Schäffer Warren exploring in the Canadian Rockies, circa 1911.
Meconopsis × sheldonii ‘Slieve Donard’, by Wendy Walsh, circa 1983.
Rhododendron Glen Stream Restoration Begins This Month
New astilbes in bloom along the upper stream in Rhododendron Glen.The Arboretum has made great progress on plant collection restoration in Rhododendron Glen over the last three years, but the stream restoration portion of the project has been delayed due to a...
REI Hosts Huge Work-Service Event at the Arboretum
Volunteers in the wetlands beside South Azalea Way.More than 100 volunteers from REI helped care for the Arboretum on Thursday, July 21 during one of the company's regular work-service events. The group members were all from REI's IT division and included folks who...
Olmsted and the Washington Park Arboretum
PHOTO: Azalea Way, the centerpiece of the Olmsted design of Washington Park Arboretum. This year marks the 20oth anniversary of the birth of Frederick Law Olmsted. Numerous celebrations are taking place around the country to mark the bicentennial of this iconic...