Seedswomen of Minneapolis

A recent trip to the Anderson Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, near Minneapolis was a wonderful treat on many levels.

https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum

One of the best things in the Anderson Library was the display of seed catalogs in their collection that were produced by women growers. Thanks to the Anderson Horticultural Library for allowing me to photograph these images. https://www.lib.umn.edu/spaces/ahl

1. Carrie H. Lippincott

Carrie H. Lippincott was a true pioneer seed grower and seller. She began her business in the 1880’s with her first catalog being issued in 1891. She was quickly copied by other women who saw her success and copied her model. Carrie only sold flower seeds and prided herself on her quality and reliability.

Carrie was in Minneapolis for many years and later was based in Hudson, Wisconsin

2. Jessie R. Prior

3. Emma V. White

Emma V. White’s catalog covers are works of flowery art. Each year she chose a different flower to feature. The insides of the catalogs were black and white with line drawings of the flowers. These catalogs looked very similar to those of Carrie Lippincott.

In a time when it was difficult for women to start businesses of any sort the production and distribution of flower seeds was one that three Minnesota women chose. Their audience was primarily women who were delighted with a seed source of hardy seeds that grew well in a cold climate. They used personal appeals to the gardeners and artistic and colorful covers to attract future buyers. Inside the catalogs the detailed descriptions helped customers to make their choices.

Cheers to these garden business pioneers. Bye for now. Jenny Rose Carey

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