Today, we raise a glass to honor Margie Ruddick, noted landscape designer (though “artist” would be more apt to the genius work she does) and HuffPost Home blogger. She won the prestigious Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award for Landscape Design, highlighting a 25-year award-filled career. We’ve long been fans of Ruddick’s work, for the way she thoughtfully considers the local ecology of a site and the spirit of the community around it as she designs simply gorgeous outdoor spaces. Queens Plaza Dutch Hills Green, the Shillim Institute and Retreat and the Battery Park City Recreation Park are just a few stunning examples of her public works.

Ruddick is just one of those people who makes the world a lovelier place. Here’s what she had to say about her win:

HuffPost Home: How will you celebrate your win?
Ruddick: My favorite new pastimes — buying and planting flowers and vegetables, riding my bike — and, of course, being with my children.

HufPost Home: What words of wisdom do you have for the next generation of landscape designers?
Ruddick: If you ever feel yourself losing the passion that propelled you into this field, take a walk in the woods, but also take a walk through a gallery or museum or installation. This younger generation is so onto the plight of the planet that they may sometimes forget that our work is art, as well as ecology.

HuffPost Home: What project do you want to be most remembered for?
Ruddick: Chuang Tzu wrote that “the wise man leaves no trace,” and I think that’s true of landscape designers whether they like it or not. Most of our landscapes are gone within a generation. So, hopefully of more permanence, will be my forthcoming book “Wild by Design” which I hope will inspire designers and help people who are not landscape designers understand why what we do is so important, even if, as landscape designers, we are a little invisible.

Here’s a glimpse of one of Ruddick’s masterpieces, Casa Cabo. All photos: Scott Frances.

To see more gorgeous outdoor spaces, check out our slideshow of the best botanical gardens across the country.

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• Chicago Botanic Garden

  The natural beauty to behold around Gardens of the Great Basin creates a full-sensory experience, with three separate gardens connected by the central lake, scenic pathways, and movie-worthy bridges and terraces.

  Photo courtesy of ©a href=”http://www.chicagobotanicgarden.smugmug.com/” target=”_hplink”Chicago Botanic Garden/a

• Chicago Botanic Garden

  Even with such severe weather during the Chicago seasons, this botanic garden is still able to maintain more than 2.4 million plants. This blooming rose bush exemplifies the heartiness of the species found here.

  Photo courtesy of ©a href=”http://www.chicagobotanicgarden.smugmug.com/” target=”_hplink”Chicago Botanic Garden/a

• Chicago Botanic Garden

  The industrial railroad model that travels through this garden is juxtaposed against the lush, mossy landscape.

  Photo courtesy of ©a href=”http://www.chicagobotanicgarden.smugmug.com/” target=”_hplink”Chicago Botanic Garden/a

• Missouri Botanical Garden

  Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the oldest in the country and is a National Historic Landmark. The gardens feature a number of plant life and flowers, including these crocuses, which are in perfect bloom for spring.

  Photo courtesy of a href=”http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/” target=”_hplink”Missouri Botanical Garden/a

• Missouri Botanical Garden

  Visitors can view the cherry blossoms, azaleas, chrysanthemums, peonies, lotus, and other oriental plantings from the charming Japanese bridges.

  Photo courtesy of a href=”http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/” target=”_hplink”Missouri Botanical Garden/a

• Missouri Botanical Garden

  We can imagine how romantic and utterly peaceful it would be walking through the Swift Family Garden.

  Photo by Leslie Wallace for a href=”http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/” target=”_hplink”Missouri Botanical Garden/a

• Atlanta Botanical Garden

  This could be a vision from our dreams — that’s how beautiful and expertly curated the landscape is here.

  Photo courtesy of a href=”http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/” target=”_hplink”Atlanta Botanical Garden/a

• Atlanta Botanical Garden

  An urban oasis in the heart of Atlanta, the facility features 30 acres of outdoor gardens, including an edible garden and outdoor kitchen. With plant collections for all over the world, this botanical garden is sure to be one of the most beautiful sites in all of Georgia.

  Photo courtesy of a href=”http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/” target=”_hplink”Atlanta Botanical Garden/a

• UC Davis Arboretum

  The UC Davis Arboretum is unlike any other. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long, vistors can enjoy the 100 acres of stunning plant life and gardens whenever the mood strikes. Just don’t forget to take a serene stroll on this pathway, which replicates an Australian landscape.

  Photo courtesy of a href=”http://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/default.aspx” target=”_hplink”UC Davis Arboretum /a

• UC Davis Arboretum

  Take a hike around the Mediterranean Collection at the UC Davis Arboretum. Walk past the scenic lagoon, which features plant life native to the Mediterranean basin. The breath-taking exhibit is also known for its medicinal and culinary herbs.

  Photo courtesy of a href=”http://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/default.aspx” target=”_hplink”UC Davis Arboretum /a

• UC Davis Arboretum

  Need some shade? Take a break under this beautiful, billowy cork oak trees. Interesting fact: Cork oak can be harvested every 10 to 12 years as, you guessed it, cork!

  Photo courtesy of a href=”http://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/default.aspx” target=”_hplink”UC Davis Arboretum /a

• Memphis Botanic Garden

  The Memphis Botanic Garden is one of the most family-friendly gardens we’ve ever seen. In the ‘My Big Backyard’ exhibit, kids can jump, dig and make connections with nature at the playhouse, open lawn and garden specifically designed for kids.

  Photo courtesy of a href=”http://memphisbotanicgarden.com/” target=”_hplink”Memphis Botanic Garden/a

• Denver Botanic Gardens

  We love that this garden is not just a place to foster plant life and plant education, but it also features indoor and outdoor art exhibits. Their impressive range of art includes landscape paintings, sculptures and photos. Case in point: This image of the garden’s greenhouses is stunning.

  Photo by Scott Dressel-Martin for a href=”http://www.botanicgardens.org/” target=”_hplink”Denver Botanic Gardens/a

• Denver Botanic Gardens

  This Japanese Garden features Ponderosa pine, which represents longevity and happiness, and an authentic tea house that was shipped from Japan and reassembled by skilled Japanese artisans.

  Photo by Scott Dressel-Martin for a href=”http://www.botanicgardens.org/” target=”_hplink”Denver Botanic Gardens/a

• Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

  The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, FL, is an 83-acre haven for tropical plants and flowers. This view of the Fairchild Vista looks like an exotic, beautiful home for plants — and the perfect escape for us.

  Photo by Gaby Orihuela for a href=”http://www.fairchildgarden.org/” target=”_hplink”Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden/a

• Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

  We love the punch of purple featured by this orchid, or Oncidium Lanceanum. It’s a good thing this botanical garden also contains a tropical plant conservatory to keep floral beauties like this alive.

  Photo by Gaby Orihuela for a href=”http://www.fairchildgarden.org/” target=”_hplink”Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden/a

• National Tropical Botanical Garden

  The National Tropical Botanical Garden consists of five gardens, with three on the island of Kaua’i, one in Maui and one in Miami, FL. This striking flower is one of many gingers at the NTBG’s flagship, McBryde Garden, in Kaua’i.

  Photo courtesy of a href=”http://www.ntbg.org/tours.php” target=”_hplink”National Tropical Botanical Garden/a

• National Tropical Botanical Garden

  You may have seen this Moreton Bay fig tree before. It was featured in the major motion picture ‘Jurassic Park’ and currently resides at the NTBG’s Allerton Garden.

  Photo courtesy of a href=”http://www.ntbg.org/tours.php” target=”_hplink”National Tropical Botanical Garden/a

• The New York Botanical Garden

  Built about 80 years ago, the Rock Garden is a three-acre oasis in The New York Botanical Garden. An entirely different environment from the bustling streets of Manhattan, this picturesque garden provides a tranquil retreat from the stresses of everyday life.

  Photo courtesy of a href=”http://www.nybg.org/” target=”_hplink”The New York Botanical Garden/a

• The New York Botanical Garden

  Industry titan David Rockefeller built this rose garden in honor of his wife, Peggy. Why give a bouquet when you can give a whole meticulously-cared-for garden?

  Photo courtesy of a href=”http://www.nybg.org/” target=”_hplink”The New York Botanical Garden/a

• The New York Botanical Garden

  Although considered an “urban garden,” the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the garden’s Victorian-style glasshouse, transports us to a more simple, romantic era.

  Photo courtesy of a href=”http://www.nybg.org/” target=”_hplink”The New York Botanical Garden/a

• Longwood Gardens

  The aquatic plants featured at this Pennsylvania-based garden are a summertime highlight.

  Photo courtesy of a href=”http://longwoodgardens.org/” target=”_hplink”Longwood Gardens/a

• Longwood Garden

  This summer, Longwood Gardens will feature eight different light installations throughout the Gardens by UK-based artist Bruce Munro. Visitors will get the chance to see the gardens in a whole new light.

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