Janet Draper gets to play in the dirt and talk to people from around the world.

This is her 25th year as the sole horticulturalist for Smithsonian’s Mary Livingston Ripley Garden.

This tiny 1/3 of an acre garden is located on the National Mall and in Washington, DC. The garden is open to visitors 24 hours a day. 

Due to the nearly constant events occurring within a stone’s throw, and major construction on aging buildings, the challenges of keeping the gardens looking good can be daunting.  

Janet goal is to make the garden interesting day to day by creating displays that educate and stimulate people to go outside and plant something.