As we celebrate black history month, we'd like to highlight the achievements of black men and women in horticulture. We'd like to thank Abra Lee with @conquerthesoil for this image and story from June of 1870, which features the Flower Farmers in D.C.
Flower sellers, sometimes called peddlers or vendors, grew flowers on their rural land and brought them into cities like D.C., Richmond, and, to this day, Charleston. The ladies’ appearance marked the arrival of spring in Washington, D.C. long before the famed cherry blossoms. (Speaking of which, a special shout out to Roland Jefferson, African-American horticulturist recognized for saving said cherry blossoms. To learn more click here.)
Thank you again, Abra! To learn more about Abra, and other stories of African Americans in horticulture, follow her on social media conquerthesoil.
Abra Lee Bio
Abra Lee is a national speaker, writer, and owner of Conquer the Soil a platform that combines Black garden history and current events to raise awareness of horticulture. She has spent a whole lotta time in the dirt as a municipal arborist, extension agent, airport landscape manager, and more. Lee is a graduate of Auburn University and alumna of the Longwood Gardens Society of Fellows, a global network of public horticulture professionals.