Memorial to Melissa Stutsman Topping Will Plant 10,000 Annuals Each Spring

The New York Botanical Garden received an endowment grant of $250,000 from the Henry Luce Foundation to establish "The Melissa Stutsman Topping Annual Plantings," according to Henry Luce III, of the Henry Luce Foundation. Henry R. Luce, was co-founder and editor-in-chief of Time, Inc.

Famed garden designer Lynden Miller has been engaged to incorporate Ms. Miller's designs into the landscape at the New York Botanical Garden. More than 10,000 annuals must be planted each spring including mirrored beds of ornamental grasses and colorful verbena, as well as window boxes, planters and ornate pots overflowing with a profusion of flowers in full bloom. This endowment gift from The Henry Luce Foundation for "The Melissa Stutsman Topping Annual Plantings" will support in perpetuity the annual cost of these plantings.

At the time of her death in April 1992, Melissa Topping, a native of St. Louis, was well known for her work to encourage women in science and engineering. She was also an enthusiastic gardener, developing a perennial border and a herb garden at her Hastings-on-Hudson home.

Ms. Topping visited the nearby New York Botanical Garden, founded in 1891 by botanist Nathaniel Lord Britton, on a number of occasions and was delighted by the beauty and tranquility of the grounds. Its 250 acres include a unique 40 acre forest (the last remnant of the forest that once covered New York City), the landmark Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and 16 specialty gardens.

The NYBG is dedicated to the protection of plants and to finding answers to today's environmental problems with three major divisions in horticulture, scientific re-search, and education.