Who Were These Gardening Women?

Susan Iden, Founder

• first female full-time feature writer of a newspaper in NC.

• Conservationist, with a garden of wildflowers

• Inspired and found the funding for The Natural Gardens of NC (1932)– a classic of ecology still a “must-read”.

Mary Lee McMillan, “The Camellia Lady”

• past President of both RGC and the state Garden Club of NC.

• originated the garden schools –still offered through National Garden Clubs today.

• Originated the radio show still airing today as the Weekend Gardener.

• Author of a gardening column for decades in the local Raleigh newspaper.

• Known as the Camellia Lady, she founded the Camellia Society chapter in North Carolina and was named honorary president for life.

Charlotte Hilton Green, Wildlife Conservationist

• Author & Nature Columnist for the Our State magazine, The News and Observer for 42 years.

• Avid birder and early wildlife habitat gardener

• “the one person in the Raleigh area most closely identified with conservation of natural resources.”

Elizabeth Lawrence, Author

• Professional Landscape Architect,

• Internationally known garden writer. 

• One of three preeminent figures in the horticultural history of the Southeast, with Thomas Jefferson and J.C. Raulston. 

• Listed among the top twenty-five gardeners of all time. (Horticulture Magazine)

Isabel Busbee, Landscape Architect

• Hired Elizabeth Lawrence

• Landscaped public and private projects around Raleigh

• wrote Raleigh Garden Club’s first constitution and helped found Garden Club of NC.

• Author & Horticulturist

Isabelle Bowen Henderson, Horticulturist & Artist

• Successful career for herself as a portrait painter.

• Avid horticulturist specialized in hybridizing iris and daylilies.

• Her garden is a National Register of Historic Places and a Raleigh Historic Landmark.

Margaret Reid, Wildflower Ecologist

• Founded Margaret Reid Wildflower Garden (Triangle Land Conservancy)

Edna Metz and BW Wells, Ecology Pioneers