Anna Ribbeck honored as one of the Louisiana Garden Club Federation's
Circle of Roses Inductees for July 2012
Town and Country Garden Club (District VI)
Anna Roy Ribbeck achieved the bloom of Master Gardener status at the ripe age of 89, but the seeds were planted in the early grandchild of those with French and German heritage, she grew in a Garden of Eden. Fruit and blooming plants provided more than beauty to the eyes of those trained in a European lifestyle. These early lessons continued to take root as she grew into a young woman with a growing family. Anna founded "The Cottage Planters" in New Orleans following in the garden path of her mother, who had been one of the founders of perhaps the first garden club in New Orleans-"The Little Garden Group".
She soon became active in the New Orleans Garden Club Council and became known for her artistry in flower arranging. Between tending her now 7 children and doting husband, she found time to work at Farley's Florist and Greenhouses. Anna also became a lecturer on house plants, their care and culture now second nature to her. Her own garden on Venus Street was full of every unusual plant one could imagine and she now had eight little gardeners trailing the path with her.
In 1963, Phil, her husband, was transferred by Exxon to Memphis where her knowledge and love of the garden filled a brand new city. She became a registered lecturer at the Civic Garden Center in Memphis and helped start not one, but three garden societies, still alive in the city today. Soon the local public TV station contacted her to do a weekly show and she became known as "The Plant Doctor". Early in 1976, Phil was transferred back to New Orleans and her roots were replanted at 118 Riverwood Drive, Covington, LA. The garden there has been growing ever since and her love of everything green has infiltrated many of her co-gardeners in the Town and Country Garden Club. She writes gardening columns for two magazines on the Northshore and one in Jefferson parish. She also must put in 20 hours a year of gardening service as part of her Master Gardener requirements. Her home is full of over 200 gardening books and her knowledge is freely given to anyone in need. In between all of this, she did find time to raise a garden of children (8) and grandchildren (35) and great grandchildren (13) and the garden is still growing! Her ripened blooms have sewn their seeds by way of these many family members into gardens all over the country.
As she approaches the winter of her life, Anna still finds ways to spread her "green" joy by blooming bigger and more colorful than ever. If she had her choice, she would become the mulch for her precious oaks when the final freeze comes to claim her! Her life motto could be summed in one sentence, "Never underestimate the potential of one little seed and the abundance it can set forth!"
(From the Louisiana Garden Club Federation, Inc. July 2012 Newsletter)
Anna Roy Ribbeck achieved the bloom of Master Gardener status at the ripe age of 89, but the seeds were planted in the early grandchild of those with French and German heritage, she grew in a Garden of Eden. Fruit and blooming plants provided more than beauty to the eyes of those trained in a European lifestyle. These early lessons continued to take root as she grew into a young woman with a growing family. Anna founded "The Cottage Planters" in New Orleans following in the garden path of her mother, who had been one of the founders of perhaps the first garden club in New Orleans-"The Little Garden Group".
She soon became active in the New Orleans Garden Club Council and became known for her artistry in flower arranging. Between tending her now 7 children and doting husband, she found time to work at Farley's Florist and Greenhouses. Anna also became a lecturer on house plants, their care and culture now second nature to her. Her own garden on Venus Street was full of every unusual plant one could imagine and she now had eight little gardeners trailing the path with her.
In 1963, Phil, her husband, was transferred by Exxon to Memphis where her knowledge and love of the garden filled a brand new city. She became a registered lecturer at the Civic Garden Center in Memphis and helped start not one, but three garden societies, still alive in the city today. Soon the local public TV station contacted her to do a weekly show and she became known as "The Plant Doctor". Early in 1976, Phil was transferred back to New Orleans and her roots were replanted at 118 Riverwood Drive, Covington, LA. The garden there has been growing ever since and her love of everything green has infiltrated many of her co-gardeners in the Town and Country Garden Club. She writes gardening columns for two magazines on the Northshore and one in Jefferson parish. She also must put in 20 hours a year of gardening service as part of her Master Gardener requirements. Her home is full of over 200 gardening books and her knowledge is freely given to anyone in need. In between all of this, she did find time to raise a garden of children (8) and grandchildren (35) and great grandchildren (13) and the garden is still growing! Her ripened blooms have sewn their seeds by way of these many family members into gardens all over the country.
As she approaches the winter of her life, Anna still finds ways to spread her "green" joy by blooming bigger and more colorful than ever. If she had her choice, she would become the mulch for her precious oaks when the final freeze comes to claim her! Her life motto could be summed in one sentence, "Never underestimate the potential of one little seed and the abundance it can set forth!"
(From the Louisiana Garden Club Federation, Inc. July 2012 Newsletter)
Awards and Achievements (Active Members Only)
Dianne Bellas
Master Gardener
Julia David
Master Gardener
Mary Jenks
Master Gardener
Peggy Lippert
Master Gardener
Betsy Maxwell
Master Gardener
Dianne Ramirez
Master Gardener
Master Gardener
Julia David
Master Gardener
Mary Jenks
Master Gardener
Peggy Lippert
Master Gardener
Betsy Maxwell
Master Gardener
Dianne Ramirez
Master Gardener