Holly Shimizu is a nationally recognized horticulturist who has worked in numerous gardens in England, Germany, Holland, and Belgium as well as the United States. Holly was the first curator of the National Herb Garden at the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. She served as executive director of the U.S. Botanic Garden on the National Mall, which experienced a renaissance during her leadership. While there, she helped create the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) together with the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Society and the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Over many years, Holly worked in partnership with the Smithsonian’s Department of Botany as well as Smithsonian Gardens. She was a consultant for the White House Gardens and worked with First Lady Laura Bush on Camp David Plant & Botanical Projects. For more than 12 years, she was a host of PBS’ gardening show, Victory Garden.

Holly has written for numerous publications and recently published a children’s book, Figgy and Fiona Search for a Home. An international flower show judge and an honorary member of the Garden Club of America, she has served with organizations including Longwood Gardens, American Public Garden Association, and Botanic Gardens Conservation International. Throughout her career, she has received many awards from horticultural societies, universities, and garden clubs—including an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Washington College in Maryland. 

Currently, Holly is on the board of the American Horticultural Society and the American Botanical Council Advisory Board and lectures, writes, and leads horticultural trips internationally. She and her husband, a garden designer, live in Glen Echo, Maryland with their naughty dog and enjoy their sanctuary garden near the Potomac River.  They are also creating a series of gardens around their 1730 house in Lewes, Delaware.