Wambui Ippolito is known for elegant, curative designs that embrace the exuberance of nature, which she considers “the greatest healer.” Deeply instilled are her memories of gardening with her family, and the animals, wide sky and never-ending landscape of Kenya where she grew up. After a career in international development and a move to the U.S., she transitioned back to her love of the outdoors, attending the prestigious School of Professional Horticultural at the New York Botanical Garden and establishing her firm Wambui Design, known for delivering innovative, imaginative gardens for humans and pets with follow-up maintenance. Her colorful floriferous garden at the 2021 Philadelphia Flower Show won Best-in-Show and Gold Awards. She lectures widely around the world and served as a judge for the 2024 CTC&G Innovation in Design Awards. Currently living in Staten Island with her husband and daughter, Ippolito enjoys reading, watching films and cooking.
What memories of Kenya linger with you?
Growing up in nature, the landscape, and the freedom of being in the country and not regulated in any way. Your identity is tied to the family, land, village, clan. All Kenyans own their own land. There is nothing better than knowing where you come from, somewhere that no one’s going to take away from you. When I am in Kenya, it is still home.
Your early career was international development. Why did you leave that?
Working for multinational organizations, I was pushing paper, pretending what I was doing was important. I didn’t feel I was evolving, I was stuck.
What brought about the return to gardening?
When my daughter was born, I was home and had time to think and plan. I wanted to be outside and happy. There’s nothing like having a child to make you rethink your life.
What is your ideal garden space?
A place where there’s no fear and worry, you’re calm, you can get ideas, be creative. It all goes back to peace. When it’s peaceful and beautiful, it’s inspiring. So many are places are to look and walk through. I want a place that embraces me, where I can sit down and feel safe as long as I want. A place for rest, relaxation, peace. If you can achieve peace, you have achieved joy, laughter, good health.
How do you create that?
By designing a place that’s lush, filled with texture and colors that complement each other and aren’t glaring. I don’t like red and orange in a garden. I love quiet, muted shades and textures.
Why do you maintain that less is more?
If you can create with very few plants, that’s innovation. A lot of people use too many. I’m always amazed to see what you can do with the least amount of plants. lt’s like an artist using only three colors. Less is more.
Why is it important to acknowledge the indigenous background of the locale?
Local people have the strongest ties to that landscape. You don’t go into someone’s house and just start rearranging the furniture without asking what they want. You have to take into account their feel for the land.
Why do repeated palette schemes irk you?
I don’t like to see the same garden over and over. People see things on social media and get inspired. It works for somebody else, but it stops you from thinking what you can bring to the table. You can tell when people are copying as opposed to doing something new.
What gives you inspiration?
I love art books, literature and film from other countries. And I love fashion. I’m doing a garden based on a fashion collection—the colors, the way the dresses flowed.
Which other gardeners do you admire?
My mother always had an instinct and it was always right. And I love the gardens of Madison Cox—how he arranges the garden, his plant palette—they are refined in the best sense.
What is a garden you’d like to design?
I’d like to do a children’s garden in a school somewhere. Children need that beauty and nature around them and to feel a part of something beautiful.