About the Exhibition 

New England Botanic Garden proudly presents an extraordinary collection of diverse and visually striking portraits that pay homage to the groundbreaking contributions of thought leaders in the world of gardening, botany, horticulture, and conservation. Each portrait masterfully captures the essence of these horticultural heroes, celebrating their tireless commitment to advancing plant knowledge, fostering community growth, and championing the preservation of vital ecosystems. Through the expressive strokes and artistic ingenuity of the creators, viewers are invited to discover the stories and legacies of these influential figures, both familiar and unsung, who have shaped the world of horticulture throughout history. This exhibition serves as a vibrant tribute to the trailblazers who have left their mark on the world of horticulture, offering an enriching experience for all who appreciate the beauty and significance of art and nature.  

Learn more about each Horticultural Hero below. Click on their name to read about their legacy. Available in English and Spanish. 

Horticultural Heroes is designed as a traveling exhibition. To learn more contact Lea Morgan, Manager of Exhibitions at lmorgan@nebg.org. 

 

Horticultural Heroes Collection

Michelle Obama (1964 - ) Using her influence to help others, Michelle Obama is encouraging families, schools, and community leaders to start gardening. While living in the White House as the First Lady of the United States, she invited children to join her in taking care of the vegetable garden there. Stepping out of the garden and away from the White House, Obama still visits many schools to talk to teachers and children about the way that plants and gardens can make us healthier. In response to Obama’s efforts, many schools have planted community gardens to teach children the importance of plants and vegetables. A piece from the Traveling Horticultural Heroes exhibit.

Horticultural Hero: Michelle Obama
Artist: Elizabeth Koah

 

Tomitaro Makino (1862 - 1957) is known as the father of Japanese botany. Makino studied and illustrated over 3,000 flowers and vegetables. His drawings were not only scientific but also beautifully rendered. Makino was one of the first botanists in Japan to systematically classify Japanese plants. He documented 50,000 species during his lifetime and illustrated many of them for his book, Makino's Illustrated Flora of Japan. Even though he dropped out of elementary school, he achieved a PhD later in life and his birthday is now celebrated as Botany Day in Japan.

Horticultural Hero: Tomitaro Makino
Artist: Yoko Ohara

 

Cynthia Westcott (1898-1983) was more than your average gardener, spending her career in plant pathology, the study of disease, teaching, and caring for gardens around the United States. Westcott traveled to every state collecting specimens of plant pathogens. The United States Agriculture Department called on Westcott to lead an effort in Mobile, Alabama to identify and eradicate diseased azaleas. She discovered two new types of pathogens and was able to save the azaleas. Westcott was dedicated to helping home gardeners and  wrote many books about her experiences to share her knowledge.

Horticultural Hero: Cynthia Westcott
Artist: Carrin Culott

 

Katie Stagliano started her first garden in South Carolina in 2008, when she was in the third grade. All of the vegetables that she grew that year were given to a local food pantry. She has been donating everything that she grows ever since. Wanting to do more for her community, she started the Katie’s Krop program. Katie’s Krops offers yearly scholarships to encourage children to start their own gardens. All of the people who Katie’s Krops helps donate the vegetables to food pantries. In 2018, Katie’s Krops donated over 38,000 pounds of produce.

Horticultural Hero: Katie Stagliano
Artist: Robea Nordman

 

Wangari Muta Maathai (1940-2011) was born in Kenya on a small farm and spent her life in opposition of unjust practices. She is the first African woman to win a nobel peace prize, which she received for her work in sustainable development. She was the first woman in East and Central Africa to receive a PhD. She was the head of a grassroots movement, aimed at creating sustainable livelihoods in rural parts of Kenya. Because of her efforts, over 51 millions trees have been planted throughout Africa.

Horticultural Hero: Wangari Muta Maathai
Artist: Nettrice Gaskins

 

John Chapman (1774 - 1845) is better known as Johnny Appleseed. He is portrayed as a man that randomly wandered and planted apple trees on his travels. While some of that may be true, there is much more to his life. While he traveled around the United States, he educated farmers about apple nurseries and orchards. His apples were enjoyed by many people, as a crunchy snack but also as cider. By the end of his life, he owned and took care of 1,200 acres of land. Leaving behind a strange legend, John Chapman also left behind many generations of apple trees and knowledge about them.

Horticultural Hero: Johnny Appleseed
Artist: Sharon Bahosh

 

Born and raised in LA, Ron Finley planted his first garden in 2010. Finley found issue with driving over thirty minutes to buy fresh local food. To fix this, he grew a garden in the only land he could...the small patch of dirt in front of his house, between the sidewalk and the road. Though the city of LA cited him for gardening without a permit, Finley started a petition in his community to fight for the right to garden in the neighborhood. His efforts worked, and he has been inspiring others ever since.

Horticultural Hero: Ron Finley
Artist: Susan Hong-Sammons

 

Known as mother of the everglades, Marjory Stoneman Douglas (1890-1998) spent her life advocating  for Florida’s everglades. An author and journalist, she worked with environmentalists from around the United States to fight for the everglades to become protected land. Douglas founded the organization Friends of the Everglades, which is still in existence, to preserve the ecosystem and prevent development in the everglades. Through fifty years of activism, Douglas has become the most well known advocate for one of Florida’s most treasured land.

Horticultural Hero: Marjory Stoneman Douglas
Artist: Trisha Danforth

 

Frederick Law Olmstead (1882-1903) was a landscape architect, planning and designing parks and gardens. He traveled to many cities in the United States to see the way people lived. He noticed that the wealthy had large and beautiful spaces to spend time together. There were less opportunities for the people that were not wealthy. This motivated Olmstead to find a solution. He created beautiful spaces for everyone to enjoy, including those who were not wealthy. Throughout his thirty year career, Olmstead worked on many projects that are now national landmarks. People from all over the world travel to see his innovative designs.

Horticultural Hero: Frederick Law Olmsted
Artist: Veronique Latimer

 

Author of The Color Of Food, Natasha Bowens is exploring the way that Americans approach farms. Not just the land themselves but the people that are behind the farms. Focused on the unsung farmers of color, Bowens is working to expand the story of the American farmer. In The Color of Food, she travelled across the United States listening, documenting, and photographing more than fifty farmers. She focused on preserving their stories and the cultures that surrounds what they do. Bowens shines light on the history of farmers that the media does not show to the world: Black, Latino, Indigenous and Asian farmers.

Horticultural Hero: Natasha Bowens Blair
Artist: Rebecca Duffy

 

Zara Ciscoe Brough, White Flower (1919-1988) not only worked on saving and protecting Nipmuc reservations, she spent most of her life working to preserve the Nipmuc culture. As the chief of the Hassanamisco Nipmuc tribe, Zara Ciscoe Brough saw that there was need to protect the land. She founded the Hassanamisco Reservation in 1962 as a place to house and display many Native American artifacts. She was passionate about educating people about the traditions of Hassanamisco Nipmuc and she fought to keep these traditions and stories alive.

Horticultural Hero: Zara Ciscoe Brough
Artist: Jamie Andrade

 

Rachel Carson (1907-1954), as an author and ecologist, was interested in the relationship of plants and the world around them. She wrote many books about the beauty of nature. It was her mission that everyone would understand the importance the of the environment. Never backing down from a challenge, when dangerous chemicals were being used on plants Carson fought back. She spoke in front of the United States Congress, telling them about the negative impacts the chemicals had. Her work inspired people to look carefully at the natural world. Her passion sparked the modern environmental movement.

Horticultural Hero: Rachel Carson
Artist: Maria Palkon

 

Born and raised in New York, Karen Washington is dedicating her time to bringing fresh food to cities. Washington worked to start a community garden right next to her house. What was once an empty lot, full of trash is now called The Garden of Happiness. She is working with multiple community groups to reach as many people as she can. Washington’s mission is for everyone to have fresh food, especially those who have lacked access before. Washington is determined to encourage communities to enable people of color to farmers markets, community gardens, and fresh food.

Horticultural Hero: Karen Washington
Artist: Maya Allegro

 

Studying the medicinal properties of plants, the research of Ibn Al-Baitar (1197-1248) is still used today. Interested in the way that people can use plants, he dedicated his time to studying them. He looked at all of the complex properties of plants, including their chemistry. Throughout his career, he found that certain plants could benefit humans...but some could hurt, too. He put together his experiments and discoveries into a detailed book that included over 1,000 plants, foods, and drugs.

Horticultural Hero: Ibn Al Baitar
Artist: Julie Anglea Theresa

 

Maria Moreira has been mentoring farmers for over 30 years. After being asked to use her farm by a family of refugees, she slowly opened up the land to other immigrants and refugees. Moreira’s current efforts are through the Flats Mentor Farm program in Lancaster, Mass. The farm sees 55 acres of food from other cultures. Almost 400 immigrant farmers use her land. She has fostered a community of people that are looking to continue their cultural traditions.

Horticultural Hero: Maria Moreira
Artist: Rachel Armington

 

Theodosia Burr Shepherd (1845-1906) is known as the Flower Wizard of California. She learned how to hybridize flowers, using scientific methods to combine different properties. Her flower’s seeds were valuable to people from all over the United States. She developed many kinds of flowers; some are very rare while others are commonly used today. She was the first woman in California to make hybrid flowers and sell their seeds. She is considered to be the start of the seed selling business in California. She hoped that her work as a businesswoman, entrepreneur, and teacher would inspired women to study horticulture.

Horticultural Hero: Theodosia Burr Shepherd
Artist: Caitlin Mitchell

 

A painting of Janaki Ammal.

Horticultural Hero: E.K. Janaki Ammal
Artist: Lisa Graves

 

Pearl Frayer (1939 - ) has been creating topiaries in Bishopville, South Carolina, for over twenty years. Fryar started his garden by salvaging plants from compost piles to try to win a local gardening prize. Now his three-acre garden is open to the public throughout the year. Visitors can see the message of “love, peace, and good will” in the topiaries he shapes. He creates the topiary sculptures for the garden to share his message of love and good will with the world.

Horticultural Hero: Pearl Fryar
Artist: Deborah Tarsitano

 

An painting of George Washington Carver.

Horticultural Hero: George Washington Carver
Artist: Donna Berger

 

Marian-Coffin-Fleur-Thesmar

Horticultural Hero: Marian Coffin
Artist: Fleur Thesmar