Fate of Margaret Thomas’ Garden in Question

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Margaret Thomas passed away on May 25, 2011, at the age of 89. Ms. Thomas became nationally known for the design of her 5.4-acre iris garden located in Herndon, Virginia. The garden was featured in TCLF's Landslide 2006: Spotlight on the Garden, named one of 18 Great Endangered American Gardens.

Ms. Thomas kept her garden open to the public, and it was her hope that the space could be preserved as a park for the enjoyment of all. While the garden has recently been maintained by volunteers, past attempts made to sell the land to Fairfax County to preserve it for public use were unsuccessful. According to Fairfax County, the property did not meet the county’s land acquisition requirements. Now, with Ms. Thomas’, passing the fate of the Margaret Thomas’ Garden is unknown. 

A non-profit, Friends of Margaret’s Gardens was created in 2002 to further efforts to preserve the garden. Supporters are encouraged to learn more at Save Margaret’s Iris Garden.