Page 2 (Biographies L-Z)

Abbott, Frank - hardy azalea breeder in the 1930's. He combined the beauty of mollis types with the hardiness of R. prinophyllum.
Ackerman, William - USDA researcher, breeder of cold hardy Camellia, some with the 'Winter' prefix.
Aden, Paul - Hosta expert and breeder, and author of a best-selling book on these plants.
Ahlburg, M.S. - Helleborus expert and author of a leading book on the genus.
Ahrendt, L.W.A. - Berberis and Mahonia expert, author of many books on same.
Aiton, William (1731-1793). - author of Hortus Kewensis (1789), one of most important guides to ornamental plants for many decades. Bean notes that Aiton was the first to record the date of introduction of new species to Europe. For those of us who think we have great collections consider that Aiton grew (Chelsea Physic Garden and later Kew Gardens) and recorded 5,500 different taxa in late 1700's. So many species are authored with the name Aiton or the abbreviation Ait.
Alexander, Herbert (1890?-1977) - nurseryman (Dahliadel Nursery, MA USA) and lilac breeder. Some of his cultivars have the Alexander prefix.
Alexander, John H.  - distinguished plant propagator at the Arnold Arboretum and expert in many plants. He selected a number of conifers and also improved our knowledge of woody plant propagation. He was an expert and author on Syringa.
Amherst, Alicia - garden author, historian - particularly noteworthy for her History of Gardening in England (1895). This work laid down many facts concerning the introduction of plants and their improvement in British gardens - and it was done with a charming, entertaining style. Begun at age 24 (using an unfinished text from botanist Percy Newberry) she used her knowledge of Latin and ancient herbals to complete the task, studying garden records as far back the fourteenth century and old manuscripts at Trinity College. Later with her husband Lord Rockley they help save the ancient Chelsea Physic Garden. She is regarded as one of the most skilled women gardening authors of all time, combining diligent research with literary talent. Some regard her 1895 work as the first truly serious, scholarly work of garden literature penned by a woman. She is also known as Mrs. Evelyn Cecil.
Anderson, Horace (b. 1908) - California-based nurseryman, and flower shop owner. He specialized in cut flowers, palms, and breeding Clivia. He obtained the rare yellow Clivia miniata 'Aurea' from Ed Hummel and used it to advantage for years in his hybridization.
Annee, M. Thre - French Canna breeder and first to develop commercial clones with wide distribution. It was said that Paris had over 20,000 of 'Annaei' cultivar around the city. British nurseries later listed Cannas with French names (about 20) and likely these came from Annee.
Apps, Darryl - Hemerocallis hybridizer.
Arai, Seijuro - Japanese Clematis breeder known for the spectacular 'Edomurasaki'.
Arends, Georg - Herbaceous perennial breeder, expert. Known for work in Phlox and Astilbe. Phlox x arendsii and Astilbe x arendsii, both hybrid groups, are named in his honor. His work dates from 1907, making him one of the most important perennial breeders of the 20th century.
Argyll, Duke of (1680-1761) - avid plant collector, so eager he was known informally as "the tree monger". Among his collection at Whitton, little survives. He raised a large grove of Cedrus libani in 1725 (from seed) and was known to grown Taxodium distichum in good groves. His smaller and rare trees were later moved to form the wonderful collection at Kew Gardens.
Armitage, Alan - Professor of Horticulture at the University of Georgia, herbaceous perennial expert, and author of a leading book and CD-ROM on the subject. The UGA Trials provide a good deal of helpful information. He has introduced cultivars including the unusual Dicentra scandens 'Athens Yellow'. His many ATHENS SELECT introductions are benchmarks for not only the US but everywhere herbaceous plants are grown.
Armstrong, Bob - horticulturist at Longwood Gardens known for his aquatic hybrid Cannas derived from C. glauca.
Arnold, P. - cultivated Gesneriad expert, author. His checklist from 1963 onward have long be reliable references to cultivars.
Ault, James (Dr.) - ornamental plant breeder at the Chicago Botanic Garden, known worldwide for his hybrid MEADOWBRITE Echinacea cultivars in various gold to orange shades. His recent hybrids in Baptisia are also exciting, giving rich violet to the genus for the first time. Dr. Ault has long studied Penstemon and published a number of scholarly papers on that genus. His Silene 'Longwood' while not widely sold is a very good plant.
Austin, David - British rose breeder who emphasizes very classy shrub roses of exceptional charm. "Austin Roses" are virtually in new class in themselves. Wayside Gardens features many of his best productions.
Austin, L. Bancroft - Massachusetts Ilex breeder who worked mainly in I. opaca, 'Lucillle' a cross of 'St. Mary' being one fruitful, orchard quality clone.
Avent, Tony - nurseryman (Plant Delights Nursery), lecturer, plant explorer, collector, horticultural humorist , and Hosta breeder. Not only are his Hosta introductions truly distinct but they also carry fun names like 'Abba Dabba Do' and 'Elvis Lives'. The logs of his worldwide travels made informative and fun reading. Plant Delights has introduced well over a hundred new cultivars in many genera to the trade.
Bailey, Ethel Zoe (189? - 1983) - daughter of L.H. Bailey, long time researcher at the Bailey Hortorium of Cornell University, and while not widely known one of the leading forces behind the Hortus II and III files and their world's largest nursery catalog collection. I recall meeting her in the mid 70's in one of the Hortorium offices, busy scanning through a pile of nursery catalogs and recording their new and rare offerings on file cards - a job we at the New Ornamentals Society continue to do this for endless hours with aid of electronics. I can understand her love of cataloging the world's catalogs and making knowledge of new cultivars and species to other researchers and enthusiasts.
Bailey, Liberty Hyde (1858 - 1954) - Professor of horticulture and botany at Cornell University and Dean of the Agriculture College there for many years. One of the most influential botanists AND horticulturists of the 20th century, having written countless authoritative articles and books. He influenced ornamental horticulture in many ways, his Manual of Cultivated Plants, Cyclopedia of Horticulture, and Hortus I-III series being widely known. The term "cultivar" was coined by him. Among his horticultural monographs are works on Dianthus, Campanula, garden palms, and conifers. There are very few cultivated genera he did not help describe and bring clarity to. Unlike so many taxonomists of the time he actually grew the things in gardens and the greenhouses to evaluate the nomenclature of the trade. And he did all this while simultaneously running a major agricultural college and being a national authority on many aspects of animal production and modern farming! If there was ever a complete scholar or renaissance man in agriculture it was L.H. Bailey. Just months prior to his death (in his nineties) he was seen wading up to his chest in a merky, tropical swamp collecting new specimens and seed. Harlan Banks offers an exhaustive list of his work at the Bailey Hortorium site.
Bailey, Rod (and Bailey Nurseries) - Cornus alba IVORY HALO is one of just many fine, recent introductions.
Bailey, S. - Dianthus expert and author of Carnations (1990).
Baker, Bill - British Clematis breeder known for 'Joan Baker' among others.
Baldsiefen, Warren - Rhododendron breeder
Baldwin, Randy - nurseryman (San Marcos Growers, Santa Barbara, CA) and Clivia breeder. He is developing a pure yellow strain for that firm and has nice info on genus at http://www.smgrowers.com
Ball, George Jacob and Vic - seedsmen and nurseryman (George Ball Seed Co. now Ball Seed) known for introducing countless superior greenhouse, florist, and bedding cultivars. The Ball Redbook has served for decades as a leading guide to growing ornamentals under glass or plastic. George Ball was a veteran of the Spanish-American war. He quickly learned to love cut flowers and saw the need to improve them, especially Calendula, Aster, and sweet peas. Their first catalog of 1918 signaled a new sophistication in American floriculture and floral bedding. The Ball organization now owns their former competitor Burpee Seeds.
Ballard, Ernest - breeder of numerous Aster x novi-belgii cultivars.
Baltet - French nurseryman and pioneer Syringa breeder c. 1700. This Troyes, France nurseryman created 'Bleuatre', a cultivar on which Lemoine based some of his later French Hybrids. Some of his clones including 'De Croncels' were semi-dwarf to compact, making the first known breakthrough in lilac habits. 'Lucie Baltet', a dwarf light pink is still valued today.
Banister, John - missionary, plant collector, and author of the first catalog of American native and garden plants. He died falling from a rock ledge which reaching for a plant.
Banks, Joseph - plant explorer who introduced over 500 taxa of plants to Europe including many from North American.
Banyai, Bruce - nurseryman and Hosta expert.
Barnes, Peter - British botanist and consultant, expert on ferns, Filipendula, Abelia, and Japanese plants.
Baron, William (Dr.) - Malus breeder famous for AMERICAN SPIRIT
Barr, ? - British nurseryman (Barr & Sons), herbaceous perennials experts. They are known for several Papaver orientale selections, Iris, Bergenia, Paeonia, and Hemerocallis in the early 1900's. In 1937 their catalog offered 36 taxa of Helleborus.
Barry, Patrick (1816 - 1890) - co-founder with George Ellwanger of the famous nursery bearing their name.
Bartels, Andreas - German nurseryman and journalist. Acer 'Autumn Fire' (A palmatum x A. circinatum) is his.
Bartlet, George - Fuchsia expert and author of Fuchsias: The Complete Guide.
Bartram, John - the first American born botanist and an avid gardener. He and his son William are credited with having the first American arboretum and botanical garden. A garden devoted to his work still exists in Philadephia.
Batdorf, Lynn R. - National Arboretum, registrar for Buxus and author of several lists. His recent BOXWOOD ENCYCLOPEDIA  was decades in the making and contains over 1000 named clones.
Bauers, Barton M. - NC-based grower known in part for Ilex vomitoria 'Virginia Dare', a stunning orange-fruited plant he found in the wild. It is a stunning plant in any Ilex collection where that species is hardy.
Beales, Peter - Rosa expert and author of Classic Roses.
Beasley, George and Mary - breeders of Beasley deciduous azaleas. 'Lemon Drop' and 'Peaches and Cream' are two of their star clones. 'My Mary' has rich yellow color, hardiness, tough foliage, elegant form, and superb fragrance.
Bean, William Jackson - British woody plant expert and author of the highly regarded Trees and Shrubs of the British Isles - so familiar it is usually known simply as "Bean". He served as Curator at Kew for 46 years bringing into cultivation and distribution a great many introduced taxa from Asia. Indeed he was often the first person in the West to grow many new, ornamental plants and describe their potential. As the son of a nurseryman he did much to unite the worlds of botany and horticulture and did so with tremendous enthusiasum and his own style.
Becker, Jim and Dotti - nurserymen (Goodwin Creek Gardens), herb experts, and introducers of many fine ornamental herbs. Among their many discoveries is Lavandula 'Goodwin Creek Grey'.
Beckett, K.A. - Bergenia expert
Beissner, Ludwig H. (1843 - 1927) - one of Europe's top conifer experts of the late 1880's and early 1900's, author of several leading conifer books of that time.
Benedict, Herb - Hosta breeder, known for 'Blue Silver' among recent intros. His Epimedium grandiflorum 'Benedict's Violet' has earned Tony Avent's highest praise of late.
Bennett, E.L. - propriator of Greenbriar Farms and known for his many Ilex crenata cultivars that were selections from a mass planting of over 1 quarter million seedlings!
Berckman, Prosper Julius - Belgian-born nurseryman known for his Fruitland Nursery in Augusta GA USA. Besides an oriental arborvitae named for him, he worked in the breeding of Southern Indica azaleas. Fred Galle said that wthout his efforts the south would scarcely have been beautified by these large, amazing azaleas as it remains today. It remains somewhat unclear which plants came from his work and which from Magnolia Gardens.
Berg C. - Conifer collector known for a number of useful items including Pinus ponderosa 'Twodot Columnar' and P. flexilis 'Scratch Gravel'.
Bergman, Fred - nurseryman (Raraflora of PA), conifer expert, collector. He named numerous cultivars including many now with the Bergman and Raraflora name. He is sometimes criticized for naming so many new cultivars but the best of them have proven to be elite garden plants; while some perhaps were not stable. His large collection was auctioned off after his death and not fully characterized. As Swartley points out in his hemlock book many of these cultivar names were provisional and some are probably lost to history.
Berry, Roy - pioneering Begonia breeder known for miniature rex types.
Beskaravainaja, M.A. - Clematis breeder from the Nikitsky State Botanica Garden, Ukraine. Known from Clemtis 'Alpinist'.
Bidwell, Ray - British breeder of Pelargonium, noted for work in the dwarf and miniature classes. His work includes the floriferous 4 inch mini 'Whatfield'.
Bigger, Myron D. - Kansas breeder of numerous peonies.
Bir, Richard - retired extension specialist at North Carolina State University, plant evaluator with an interest in Hydrangea, deciduous Ilex, Phlox, Wisteria, Monarda disease resistance, and native azaleas. Dr. Bir contributed much to plant propagation studies of plants durable in the southeastern US. In Mike Dirr's recent Hydrangea book he pays tribute to Bir over and over for his evaluations of many Hydrangea macrophylla cultivars.
Blackburn, Benjamin - horticulturist at Willowwood Arboretum, Magnolia expert.
Blackmore & Langdon - British nurseryman and leading breeders of Delphinium.
Blacklock, Mary E. - Syringa breeder, known for 'Heavenly Blue'.
Bloom, Adrian - herbaceous perennial expert, breeder, and collector.
Bloom, Alan - perhaps the leading perennial breeder of the last half of the 20th century. Through Bressingham Gardens and Blooms his countless introductions have transformed nearly ever garden where perennials are treasured. Many of these cultivars bear the Bressingham, Oakington, or Bloom names.
Bluemel, Kurt - German born nurseryman, founder of Kurt Bluemel Inc., one of the world's leading experts on ornamental grasses, originator and introducer of many grass cultivars. A few of his best intros include Miscanthus sinensis 'Adagio', Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal', and Molinia litoralis 'Skyracer'.
Blumhardt, O. - New Zealand breeder of Magnolia including 'Star Wars'.
Boerner, E.S. - very successful American rose breeder.
Boisselot, Auguste - French breeder of Clematis, known for the gorgious 'Belle Nantaise'
Boland, M. - author of numerous cultivar checklists in Saintpaulia.
Bolander, Henry - Lilium breeder.
Bond Sandra- Hosta breeder affiliated with Goldbrook Plants.
Boom, Boudewijn Karel (1903 - 1980) - horticultural taxonomist at Wageningen Netherlands, conifer expert, and co-author of the landmark Manual of Cultivated Conifers. He did much to stabilize garden conifer nomenclature.
Boucher, Phil - nurseryman (Tranquil Lake Nursery) and breeder of Siberian Iris.
Bornstein, Carol - Director of the Santa Ana Botanic Garden and Heuchera breeder.
Boullemier, L.B. - Fuchsia expert and checklist author.
Bovee, Robert  - Nurseryman known for Rhodies and azaleas, in particular the Bovee Knap Hill deciduous azaleas. He once grew out 8000 Knap Hill seedlings and was wise enough to name just 19 of the very finest.
Bowden, Wray M. - Cytotaxonomist and author of works on Potentilla fruticosa, Wisteria, and tetraploid Lobelia.
Bowles, E.A. - British perennial expert and author. Several plants bear his name. He is one of British's greatest ever plantsmen. His 1934 handbook on Narcissus was very influential.
Bracken, Ray - southern plantsman known for the wonderful Magnolia grandiflora BRACKEN'S BROWN BEAUTY.
Brawner, Faye - Pelargonium researcher, hybridist, and author. She is most famous perhaps for GERANIUMS: THE COMPLETE ENCYCLOPEDIA and a popular guide to scented geraniums.
Bremmer, Alan - breeder of hardy Geranium cultivars.
Bretschneider, Emil (Dr.)(1833-1901) - physican, plantsman, and botanist from Russia. He was able to serve as the doctor for a collecting trip and also do botanizing from his vast knowledge! I am not sure but it seems safe to declare that Cornus bretschneideri, a Chinese version of C. alba,  is named for him.
Brickell, Christopher - Director of the Royal Horticultural Society, author of numerous authoritative books, and horticultural nomenclature expert. He was editor of the 1980 International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants. He has authored articles on Mahonia, Rhododendron, and Daphne.
Bridgen, Mark - Cornell University plant breeder. His 'Sweet Laura' and 'Freedom' clones of Altroemeria are taking the world by storm.
Brigham, Doris - known for some fine scented Pelargonium including 'Cody' ('Apple Cider') c. 1950.
Bright, James - British Fuchsia breeder and grower, son-in-law of early breeder James Lye. His double-flowerd 'Pink Pearl' (1919) remains in the trade decades later.
Bristol, Peter - horticulturist at the Holden Arboretum, OH USA. He completed successful plant collecting trips to China in 1981 and 1984.
Bristow, Owen R. - co-foumder of the Mossholder-Bristow series of azaleas, an important series of forcing azaleas. They are sometimes known as Gold Cup Azaleas.
Brits, G.J. - Protea expert and checklist author.
Brockie, W.B. - New Zealand breeder of Phorium cultivars. 'Cream Delight' and 'Dazzler' are two of his best.
Brooks, Leonard L. - California breeder of the Brooks azaleas hybrids that including stock from Belgian and Southern Indian series. His 'Redwings' remains a good choice for western gardens today.
Brooks, William G. - Begonia breeder.
Brown, Lancelot "Capability" (1716 - 1783) - famous British landscape architect who brought new concepts in design and ornamental plant use to Europe and the world.
Brownell, Ambrose - noted breeder of Ilex aquifolium and I. x altaclerensis for cut branch production and introducer of many breakthrough cultivars. His work led to the establishment of this industry in the northwestern US. He also renamed many British cultivars with "fancy names", prompting commercial appeal but taxonomic headaches.
Brownell, H.C. - American rose breeder known for superior cold hardy cultivars.
Bruant, Paul - Pelargonium breeder from France. Noted for developing some of the first good zonal tetraploids. His plants go under such names as French type or Bruant Race.
Brummitt, Marjorie - Iris breeder
Buckley, Arthur R. - Kew-trained, Canadian horticulturist, garden columnist, expert on cold hardy woody plants, and author of two well-regarded books on herbaceous perennials and woody plants.
Budgen, George - founder of Berkeley Horticultural Nursery about 1922, a grad of Penn State University. He propagated many of John Noble's conifer finds. His own collection of fuchsia (many of which were sold) numbered over 200 cultivrs. The tropical Vireya rhodie 'George Budgen' honors him. His nursery had the honor to plant Hearst's manion at San Simeon.
Bugala, Wladyslow (Dr.) - Polish lilac breeder who worked at the famous Konik Arboretum. As Director of that garden, he worked mainly with S. x prestoniae to produce many new colors.
Bull, William - British nurseryman from the late 1800's. He grew many ornamental flowers including over a hundred cultivars of double-flowered zonal Pelargonium.
Bultinck, Antoines - Belgian grower of improved Cornus kousa cultivars, all of which bear his name.
Burpee, Atlee - world famous seedman and founder of Burpee Seeds. His plant introductions and breeding, particularly with annual bedding plants are legendary. Someone once said that he was to flower seeds what P.T. Barnum was to the circus. Even with his flair for marketing he always gave the customer a fair deal and his "novelties" usually persisted for decades as favorites in the garden. And they also brought modern science to seed production and breeding. They created many new classes of cultivars among the most famous being the illusive white marigold.
Bush, Alan- perennial expert and selector of fine perennials. His Heuchera villosa 'Palace Purple' is a modern classic.
Bush, Richard - nurseryman, conifer expert and collector. He introduced many fine plants including Cornus kousa 'Bush's Pink'.
Buxton, Bessie Raymond - Begonia expert and author. She served as Director of the American Begonia Society.
Cann, Ann - introducer of Astrania major cvs.
Cannon, Norman H. - Ilex breeder from Delaware who has introduced unique dwarf ('Piccolo', 'Pincushion') and yellow- or ivory-fruited clones ('Ivory Tower', 'Butterball'). He often grew thousands of seedlings just to find one worth growing one. 'Miss Muffet' (reg. 1970) remains an impressive dwarf but not too compact clone.
Carlson, Bob and Jan - nurseryman (Carlson's Gardens), azalea expert, and introducer of improved cultivars, mainly of deciduous azaleas. They have introduced numerous improved and native taxa to the trade.
Carriere, Elie-Abel (1818 - 1896) - French conifer expert, author of the well known Traite Generale des Coniferes. He is one of the more important scholars of cultivated varieties of last century. He is the author of numerous Latin cultivar names in widespread use today.
Carter, Peter - New Zealand lavender expert known for his Lavandula 'Amanda Carter'
Case, David - breeder of dwarf Pelargonium including the much-loved 'Trinket'.
Castle, Minerva - Syringa breeder at Rowancorft Gardens. Her 'Violet Glory' with large purple florets remains a fine choice.
Castro, Robert - American Fuchsia breeder c. 1960's
Catesby, Marc - 18th century botanist who was first to describe the pink-flowered form of Cornus florida among other wonderful American wild plants. You may recognize his name from Leucothoe catesbaei, a synonum of L. axillaris.
Cecil, Evelyn = see Amherst, Alicia.
Chadwick, L.C. - Horticulture Professor and woody plant expert. He worked and work extensively on conifers and especially Taxus.
Chalk, D. - Hebe expert and author of a popular book for Timber Press.
Chamberlain, Rod - Clivia collector and breeder.
Chase, Henry - nurseryman (Chase Nursery) in Alabama, he is perhaps most remembered for his 1951 introduction of Cornus florida 'Cloud Nine'.
Chase, Lewis (1830-1911) - nurseryman at Maine and Rochester, NY (Chase Brothers Nursery) and grower of many rare and interesting woody plants. Together with brothers Ethan and Lewis they expanded their company to have many branches in the US. This past summer (June 2006) I went back to study many of the old conifers at Cornell University, some of which were studied in the 40's by P.J. vanMelle. Many of those plants on that famed old Conifer Slope had a 1940 or 1940 Chase Brothers source on the label. They were offering Juniperus rigida Pendula Group in 1941 (as the species). That speaks volumes.
Chastain, M. - Hosta breeder.
Chatto, Beth - British nurserywoman, plant collector, developer of many superior herbaceous perennials, and author. Her garden and nursery are world famous for unusual plants. Many gold medals from the Chelsea Flower Show have come to her. In 1988 she was awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour.
Chittenden, F.J. - editor of the Royal Horticultural Society's original Dictionary of Gardening.
Christensen, Jack - rose breeder. Site.
Chubb, Sean - Clivia collector and breeder, known for his ground-breaking orange cultivar 'Chubb's Peach'. He also works breeding Nguni, a prized form of cattle favored by the Zulu people and know for their durability and a milk full of protein and butterfat. He has supplied breeders of Clivia all over the world with new genetic stock from the wild, includng C. gardenii and C. caulescens.
Clark, Robert B. - horticultural taxonomist and lilac expert.
Clarke, Walter Bosworth (W.B.)(1876-1953) - California nurseryman at the famous Clarke Nursery of San Jose, CA USA. He improved and literally created garden value for some plants such as Prunus persica and Chaenomeles. He had the advantage of working with Dr. Burbank's fine products as well as introducing new rare things from Japan. He is known for lilacs, including 'Clarke's Giant', the first patented lilac (US No. 754). Today his double white 'Cora Brandt', lilac-pink 'Ester Staley', and near blue 'Summer Skies' are still loved.
Clebsch, Betsy - leading Salvia expert and author of A Book of Salvias.
Clibran, William & Sons - British nurserymen who introduced a number of Lantana cultivars c. 1881.
Coats, Alice M. - Artist, plant historian. The Quest for Plants is one of best written histories of the introductions of ornamentals to the west. Her 1963 Garden Shrubs and their Histories is also interesting reading.
Coe, Charles - estate owner and plant collector known for leaving us the amazing Planting Fields Arboretum on Long Island. He also named some of the better Rutherford azaleas that were offered by Bobbink & Atkins Nurseries. His arboretum remains one of the finest azalea collections in the United States.
Collicutt, Lynn - plant breeder, Morden Research Station, Canada. Her work continued the breeding of Henry Marshall, covering Monarda and Heuchera.
Collison, Peter (1694-1768) - British amateur gardener who earned a large fortune as a "linen-draper". He planted a large tree collection at Mill Hill where he planted new introductions from North America.
Colville, James - nurseryman who is known today for his early work on hardier types of Gladiolus. His 1926 his new G. x colvillei 'Alba' was a white beauty. Around 1937 he bred even more serious introductions.
Compton, Henry - Bishop of Londn and avid plant collector at his Fulhm garden. He had 400 species of woody plant, more than most botanical gardens at that time. John Banister, a missionary to Virginia sent many fine species to Compton.
Comstock, Jim - one of truly great Clivia breeders, starting in 1986. He worked mainly in yellow but found many interesting and valuable types of mutations along the way. He grows about 4000 seedlings a year of nearly 400 crosses. His dark red 'Deuce' is one of the most extreme pigmentations known to date. His odd mutation 'Darth Fader' has oddly corrugated, rugose leaves in a blackish-green. These alternating bumps and bands make this plant valued for the leaf alone.
Conrad, Kevin - Curator of the USDA Woody Plant Germplasm Repository at Beltsville, Maryland. This collection is affiliated with the breeding and research work of the US National Arboretum (USNA) and contains over 5000 different taxa. His role is to maintain the germplasm in plant, seed, and other forms, cataloging them by computer technology, and making them available to researchers around the US and other countries.
Conway, David - nursery and breeder, specializing in Clivia. He started the addiction in that genus about 1962 and offers one of the widest ranges of cultivars anywhere. Among his better cultivars are 'Whipped Cream', 'Lemon Chiffon'.
Cooke, Ian - British Canna collector, expert, and author. His 2001 book remains the finest discussion of cultivars today.
Cooper, L. - Delphinium expert, registrar, and author.
Corliss, Philip G. - Hemerocallis, Iris, Amaryllis breeder; garden photographer; lecturer.
Cornell, Philip - California breeder of the Cornell series azaleas
Cornman, John - a little known botanist whose Ph.D. on Juniperus was one of the first impressive American dissertations in horticultural taxonomy. He worked with both herbarium material and living collections
Courselles - One of the first Fuchsia breeders, from France. His 'Corymbifora Alba' hybrid of 1847 was quite a smash hit.
Cox, Peter A. - Rhododendron authority and breeder of numerous superior cultivars. His speciality is mainly dwarf and low-growing variants. He has written two well known books.
Creech, John - botanist, plant explorer (mainly to Japan, Nepal, Taiwan, and the USSR).
Cripps, Thomas - British nurseryman from Tunbridge Wells, England. His amazing Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Crippsii' is their most famous introduction. Clematis 'Empress of India' is also a fine plant. Another of his Clematis selections 'Jackmannii Superba' has been a preferred plants for many decades.
Cronin, John - pioneer breeder of Watsonia cultivars for gardens, including 'Australia', 'Queenstown', and 'Ballarat'
Cross, Jim - Nurseryman (Environmentals Nursery) from Long Island. He introduced many fine and rare woody plants (many of them dwarf) to the eastern US, often in economical sizes suitable for garden centers. I recall having a tour of his facility as a student in the early 80's and was amazed at how many wonderful new cultivars were mass-produced and sold for such small sums. His nursery techniques were are amazing as his choice of superior plants. He introduced a number of plants including Cornus kousa 'Lustgarten Weeping'
Crozy, M.  - French nurseryman who took the genus Canna to new places with astonishing 220 named cultivars. He started around 1870 working with various species to make plants shorter (not 3m tall!), studier, more floriferous, cleaner colors, suitable for containers, and even bicolored. 'Madame Crozy' started the dwarf canna breeding trend that continues today.  Soon he had dwarf clones in all major colors including the illusive clean yellow. The formation of canna flowers developed with him to produce the so-called Gladiolus Flowered Group. He is mainly responsable for making cannas small, durable, and suitable for bedding or small gardens. He won an FCC with the British RHS in 1888, an award rarely given to a French flower breeder.
Cumming, Alexander - known for Gypsophila paniculata 'Bristol Fairy', Weigela 'Bristol Ruby' and the Korean hybrids of Chrysanthemum. These mum hybrids were influential in the development of good garden mums.
Cumming, William Archibald - Horticulturist at Agriculture Canada Research Station, Morden, Manitoba from 1955 to 1975.
Cummings, Betty - azalea grower (nurserywoman) known for many fine selections, especially of US native deciduous species. Her propagation skills also made rare and hard-to-propagate clones available to a very wide audience.
Curtis, William (1746 - 1799) - founder of Botanical Magazine in 1787, one of the first periodicals devoted to ornamental and exotic plants. The 176 volumes contain over 10,000 high plates and added much to the early literature of new ornamentals.
Daphnis, Nassos - Paeonia breeder known for his work with William Gratwick. There work is one of first projects to work with complex hybridization in modern perennials.
Dallamore, William (1871 - 1959) - known for his conifer handbook with co-author A.Bruce Jackson
Daminy, John - horticulturist for Veitch's Nursery, hybridized two Calanthe species in 1852 (first bloomed 1856), this believed to be the first man-made cross of orchid species.
Darby, Robert - breeder of modern cold hardy Hibiscus
Darke, Richard - Curator at Chicago Botanic Gardens, herbaceous perennial evaluation expert, author.
Darrow, George M. - world famous fruit breeder who with worked with the USDA for 46 years. He also applied his considerable skill to Hemerocallis breeding.
David, Pere Armand - priest well known as a plant explorer. The lovely tree Davidia is named for him as are most plants bearing the davidii or davidiana epithets.
Davidson, Roy -
Davison, George - British Crocosmia breeder.
Dean, Don - Hosta breeder, including 'Frosted Dimples'
deBaggio, Tom - herb breeder and herb expert. He has introduced Rosmarinus and Lavandula clones of unique qualities. Lavandula angustifolia 'Irene Doyle' is popular worldwide. Lavandula 'Linda Ligon' is one of the first evenly-marked variegated cultivars in this genus. Rosmarinus officinalis 'Gorizia' is a favorite today. His gold-margined rosemary 'Joyce deBaggio' is a unique plant.
Debras, Edouard - pioneering Lilium breeder.
deGraff, Jan - one of the century's top Lilium breeders. His great cultivars are numerous but 'Enchantment', 'Pink Perfection', and 'Golden Splendor' are perhaps the most widely circulated.
de Boer, Henrik W. (1885 - 1970) - Dutch specialist on succulents, author.
de Jong, Kees - Dutch Agapanthus breeder whose cultivar 'White Heaven' has heads of up to 80 flowers in pure white.
Delavay, Jean Marie (Abbe) - Jesuit priest from France, plant collector in China. The epithet delavayi often honors him.
Delp, Weldon - Rhododendron breeder known for many wonderful items. 'Delp's Dream' is a yellow-flowered indumented hybrid hardy to -15 deg. F.
den Boer, Arie F. - Malus expert and author of the classic Ornamental Crab Apples. He also found a chinese juniper cultivar bearing his name.
den Ouden, P. - Dutch nurseryman and author of the famous Manual of Cultivated Conifers with B.K. Boom.
Denny, Vince and Sylvia - nurserymen (Denny's Clematis Nursery, Broughton, England). Their Clematis 'Broughton Bride' is a magical and mysterious beauty in ghostly white. 'Denny's Double' is also a popular clone. Their Camellia-like hybrid 'Sylvia Denny' with semi-double white, non-greening, tepals is a real find.
de Vink, J. - Clematis breeder from Boskoop. His bicolored 'Beauty of Boskoop' is a modern classic.
de Vos
de Vroomen, Jac - Dutch plant breeder, known for Heuchera 'Eden's Aurora' among other things.
Dexter, Charles - breeder of the now famous Dexter Rhododendrons from 1921 to 1943. They replaced the old, cruder ironclad Rhodies with improved dense foliage, large stature, cold hardiness, and more refined colors. The famous 'Scintillation' is one of his best.
Diboll, Neil - US native plant expert and collector, his Heliopsis helianthoides PRAIRIE SUNSET at 6 feet with dark stems is a true discovery.
Dickson, A. - nurseryman, Northern Ireland rose breeder.
Dijkhuis, Mr. - breeder of the Felix and Fijkhius azaleas, mainly derived from Rhododendron viscosum.
Dilatush, Earl - noted New Jersey nurseryman known today for numerous, superior cultivars of Ilex opaca. 'Bountiful', 'Big Red', 'Canary', and the very popular 'Old Heavy Berry'.
Dilatush, Tom - nurseryman, plant explorer, garden conifer expert. One of the founders of the American Conifer Society. He has named and introduced many superior conifer clones. He also introduced hollies including Ilex 'Byam K. Stevens', a good cross of I. perny and I. ciliolspinosa.
Dishon, J. - Hosta breeder.
Dirr, Michael A. - Professor of Horticulture at the University of Georgia, lecturer, author of several popular woody plant books and CD-ROMs, nursery expert, originator of scores of superior woody plants (Nobleplants.com). His bio is also available on the PlantAmerica site.
Dobbs, Arthur (Governor) - Governor of North Carolina and something of an amateur botanist. He brought the Venus Flytrap of of NC swamps to the attention of Collinson in British around 1760. As this was the first official carnivorous plant known to botany, it seems so unusual that a politician would have found and promoted such a discovery and had the forethought to call on experts in the Mother Country.
Dodd, Tom Jr. - nurseryman (Tom Dodd Nurseries, Semms, Alabama), originator of numerous woody plant cultivars, particularly those of southern US origin. His plants Ilex opaca 'William Hawkins',  I. vomitoria 'Will Fleming' are quite remarkable and unique.
Donig, G - Erlangen-based, German developed of superior variegated Fagus including 'Franken' and 'Feuerglut'. The highly motled 'Marmor Star' may be the best variegated beech ever.
Doorenbos, S.G.A. - Dutch director of the department of parks at The Hague, Netherland. Know for his pioneer Malus hybrids 'Profusion' and 'Liset'. His gold-fruited 'Winter Gold' remains popular.
Dougall, John - Ontario-based nurseryman (Windsor Nurseries) and Syringa breeder. His 1874 catalog is the first and finest list of new cultivars in North America. Among his creations is 'Albert the Good', a rich dark reddish-purple.
Dosser, Lillie - breeder of the Dosser deciduous azaleas in WA USA. They are mostly Ghent and Mollis like plants.
Douglas, David - Scottish plant explorer for whom many woody plants are named including the Douglas Fir. He introduced many taxa from Canada and the western US regions. He also brought Gaillardia aristata and Lupinus polyphyllus to Europe. Like John Banister he was killed while plant collecting, falling into a trap for wild bulls on the Sandwich Islands, and finding his new companion more than hostile. He suffered a horrible end in the Sandwich Islands. Out collecting he fell into an already occupied trap for wild bulls, ending up mutilated beyond all hope.
Downing, Andrew Jackson - one of America's most influential landscape architects. His Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening was one of the first works to integrate knowledge of sophisticated design with information of superior cultivated taxa. If there was ever a person who fully integrated horticulture with design it was A.J. Downing.
Dress, William J. - horticultural taxonomist with the Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University author of numerous authoritative keys and studies of cultivated plants. Long-time editor of horticultural taxonomy journal Baileya.
Druse, Ken - widely read garden author who has done much to popularize a great many superior species and cultivars.
Dudley, John - Tasmania-based breeder of Helleborus whose hybrid 'Mrs. Betty Ranicar' is demanding praise around the gardening world. It's a double white wonder fo such beauty you'll be amazed.
Dudley, Theodore R. - Taxonomist at the National Arboretum, Ilex expert, introducer of new germplasm, and one of the leading experts on woody plant nomenclature in this century. Dr. Dudley also introduced a great many ornamentals, especially Ilex, from Asia.
Dufresne, Richard - A leading expert in garden Salvia. His Salvia 'Cherry Queen' is just one of his triumphs.
Duivenvoorde, Kees - Dutch breeder of superior Agapanthus, mainly for the cut flower trade but his best clones are proven wonderful for gardens where hardy. He found some plants in Holland and together with 'Intermedius' bred a series of increasing finder cultivars in all the desired colors. His first floriicultural success was 'Dr. Brouwer' (registered 1987), a plant with light blue, early blooming and stem traits for cutting. 'Catherina' is a 1995 introductio nnamed for both his wife and daughter - you can always tell that such plants are a breeders best, most elite seedlings. It is dark blue, deciduous, with a height of about 35cm, globular heads of up to 70 flowers being very showy. It has 6-8, sometimes 10 tepals for more color saturation. 'Duivenbrugge White' is a good white with flowers to 3.4cm wide adn up to 50 per head. His gold-margined 'Goldfinger' does not flower but makes a pretty foliage plant. I think his 'Virginia' with huge 5cm white flowers and up to 80 flowers a head will be popular. Now he has over 37 cultivars in his portfolio of accomplisments and we more are coming in future years.
Dunbar, John  (1859-1927) - woody plant expert with the Rochester Parks, expert in several genera including Prunus and Syringa. A native of Scotland, Dunbar was America's first lilac breeder. He also planted about 100 cultivars at Rochester NY, beginning what is known around the country as the Rochester Lilac Festival. That festival brings millions of dollars a year to that area up to the current time. Among his wonderful lilacs is the popular 'President Lincoln' (near true blue) and 'Adelaide Dunbar' (a superior dark purple honoring his wife). His 'General Sherman' has rich purple buds opening a silk lavender. He also has a species of hawthorn, Crateagus dunbarii, named for his discovery of it near the Genessee River in Rochester. It has a dense crown with a dark glossy leaf, making a good ornamental. Slavin named Malus coronaria var. glaucescens 'Dunbar' in his honor.
Duncan & Davies - these New Zealand nurseryman have named dozens of superior conifers. Their nursery today still introduces many plants of NZ and Australia to our countries.
Dunington-Grubb, Howard B. - (1881 - 1965) Canadian landscape architect and founder of the very influential Sheridan Nurseries (1913). Their influence on Canadian and worldwide gardens is great. The history on the site there is more complete. Among Sheridan's introductions are Buxus 'Green Velvet' and Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk'.
Dunnington-Grubb, Lorrie A. (1877 - 1945) - co-founder of Sheridan Nurseries.
Durio, Ken - Magnolia expert, nurseryman (Louisiana Nursery), and introducer of many woody cultivars, particularly those of merit in the lower South.
Ecke, Paul - perhaps the all time leading breeder of poinsettia cultivars.
Edelmann, Edith - Perennial collector, one of world's top designers of herbaceous and mixed borders. Several cultivars are named in her honor including two in the genus Verbena! She designed and was long-time curator of the 400 foot border at the Raulston Arboretum
Eddie, E.H. - known for two dogowoods, Cornus nuttalli 'Eddiei' and C. 'Eddie's White Winder', the later making interspecifics popular in this genus.
Egger, Janet - plant breeder, first with Goldsmith Seeds and since 2000 with Terra Nova Nurseries.
Eggleton, Steve - New Zealand plant breeder whose Gaura PASSIONATE RAINBOW with tricolored foliage is a work of real art.
Egolf, Donald R. - Research Horticulturist with the National Arboretum, expert and breeder of countless superior Lagerstroemia (on which he also wrote THE book and checklist) , Ilex, Malus, Syringa, and Viburnum. His contribution to Viburnum and Lagerstroemia will surely never be eclipsed. His plant introductions have probably had a wider impact on American landscapes that any other woody plant breeder of the last part of this century. Syringa 'Betsy Ross' is one of his most recent introductions. He also named two good crabapples, 'Naragansett' and 'Adirondack'.
Eisel, Mervin C. - long time cultivar registrar for Hosta, author.
Eisenbeiss, Gene - Research Horticulturist with the National Arboretum, holly registrar, and by many opinions the most knowledgeable expert on Ilex. He and Dr. Ted Dudley have written many of the important papers and checklists on the genus. He has also bred many important cultivars including very adaptable, aesthetic interspecific hybrids.
Elliott, Clarence - nurseryman (Six Hills Nursery), perennial expert, and introducer of many fine taxa. He found Alstroemeria in Chila and quite a number of good Salvia for gardens.
Ellison, Don - Camellia expert and author. His leading book covers 1100 taxa and reflects 27 years of worldwide travel and study.
Elmer, Gus - MIssissippi breeder of deciduous azaleas in his own Chinquapin series.
Elslager, Ed - Hosta breeder, known for 'Fantabulous'
Elsner, Wilhelm - German Pelargonium breeder from PAC Eslners of Dresden. His work included many zonals in the PAC series, especially bicolored and red-spotted clones.
Ellwanger, George (1816 - 1906) & Barry, Patrick- These two nurseryman were to early American gardens what Hillier was to British gardens. The introduced and scattered thousands of new and superior cultivars, mainly of woody genera, around the eastern US. Many unusual variegated, weeping, purple, and golden cultivars from Europe first came from the US from their nursery. Their collections form the basis of the superb but oft neglected collections at Durand-Eastman and Highland Parks in Rochester NY. Several cultivars including a once popular arborvitae bear their name.
Elsley, John - British horticulturist and plant collector, long time head of horticulture at Wayside Gardens,and introducer of many fine cultivars to the western trade. A wonderful hardy Geranium is named in his honor. He recently introduced a superior clone of evergreen Cornus angustata called EMPRESS OF CHINA.
Elwes, Henry John - landowner, plant collector, and talented amateur botanist. His Tree of Great Britain and Ireland and a monograph on Lilium are true classics.
Emory, Dara - plant breeder at Santa Barbara Bot. Garden. Some of his plants have the Dara's prefix. His wonderful large Heuchera hybrids use the Canyon prefix.
Eriandson, Conrad - BC, Canada-based Clematis breeder known fro 'Blue Ravine' among others.
Ernst, G. - German nurserymen who bred the famous Canna 'Konigin Charlotte' ('Queen Charlotte').
Evans, Murray - nurseryman, Narcissus breeder, author.
Evans, R.L. - Sedum expert and author of the leading book on garden taxa.
Evison, Raymond - Clematis breeder from Guernsey Nursery, England. Among his successful products are 'Blue Dancer'. His modern trademarked taxa include ROYAL VELVET, LIBERATION, JOEPHINE, PISTACHIO, SUGAR CANDY, and ARCTIC QUEEN.
Ewing, Juliana Horatia - British author of garden and children's books. In 1884 she help found the Parkinson Society "to search out and cultivate old garden flowers". She campaigned against the "artificial", "tidy" bedding craze of contemporary gardeners, favoring the use of more natural and cold hardy plants with individual charm. Ribbon or floral beds she said were for those with "either no taste for gardening or no time". Her writings on garden design and plant selection were influential.

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Fair, Keith and Carol - Clematis breeders known for the amazing cultivar 'Hainton Ruby'
Fairchild, Thomas (1667-1729) - botanist and nurseryman. He was an active experimentor with ornamental flowers. He founded at nursery at Hoxton in 1690 when just 23 years of age. It was later called "The City Gardens" for it was a half acre of the most densed planted horticultural treasure one would want. He brought a full range of European and new American plants to his customers. Mark Catesby was his North American plant connection. Over 50 cultivars of grape were on offer too. In 1717 he made a controlled cross of a carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) with sweet william (D. barbatus) pollen. This is thought to be the first documented hybridization of an ornamental plant, though it is very likely in centuries past such experiments may have been tried. His hybrid was considered something of a threat and oddity, some botanists and naturalists with The Royal Society claiming moral outrage at his tampering and playing god. This Dianthus was unofficialled terms "Fairchild's Mule" and was not usually pronounced with positive tones. He was also known for a diverse and unrivaled collection of succulents among which Aloes were a star attraction. His collection of fruit cultivars amazed many too. In 1722 he wrote THE CITY GARDENER, one of the first books to handle the issues of urban gardening. He advocated planted of urban squares with a diversity of showy plants, native and exotic. He stated that even dark narrow streets and courtyards would be improved by the planting of suitably shade-tolerant plants. He promoted the use of small tubs in which city gardeners could grow either flowers or small fruit crops. As popular as THE CITY GARDENER became, some viewed it as a thinnly disguised catalog for which the reader was required to pay for the privilage of reading! He also founded The Society of Gardeners, an association of growers who discussed their latest plant finds and new nursery techniques. That group published in 1730 the CATALOGUS PLANTATUM, a comprehensive catalog of all available plant material in England at the that - all this 260 years before the RHS PLANT FINDER! One of his final wishes was the establishment of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners, an organization which promoted the idea of an annual horticulturally themed sermon in churches.
Farrand, Beatrix - influential American garden designer whose important gardens include Dumbarton Oaks and plantings at Yale and Princeton. She was skilled at use of both native and new exotic species in novel and creative ways. Her 1941 Plant Book is well known. She was the niece of Edith Wharton and blessed with a similar gift for description.
Farrer, Reginald (1880 - 1920) - plant explorer, rock garden expert, and author.
Fell, Derek - herbaceous perennial and grass expert, garden photographer.
Feltwell, John - Clematis expert and author.
Fenicchia, Richard A. (190? - 1997) - Horticulturist and later Park Superintendant with the Rochester Parks Department and Syringa expert. Together with Alvin Grant he developed the Rochester Strain of lilacs that has influenced others including Dr. Egolf at the US National Arboretum. Among Fenicchia's development were true dwarf lilacs of rock garden size. This dwarfism is avalable for future breeders to use.
Fiala, John L. (1924 - 1990) - Catholic priest and also one of the century's leading hybridizers of Malus and Syringa. He wrote very remarkable books on both genera. His lilac breeding program spanned more than 50 years and produced great results. 'Avalanche' for example is one of top rated white lilacs available.
Fincham, Robert - nurseryman (Coenosium Gardens), one of the early founders of the American Conifer Society, and leading conifer expert. His history of American conifers (see previous link) is quite interesting.
Finnis, Valerie - British plantswoman, lecturer for 30 years at Waterperry Horticultural College, and photographer. She and husband Sir David Scott also owned a large alpine garden and associated nursery. A popular Artemesia is named for her. Awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour in 1975.
Fish, Margery - British journalist, garden designer, perennial expert, and hardy Euphobria breeder. At East Lambrook Manor in Somerset she and her husband collected many plants, particularly older and novel ones. These and many new cultivars she promoted in writings and lectures: "I have one gardening rule - when in doubt plant Geranium endressii. I have never known such an accomodating plant. It never seems out of place". Her 1958 The All Year Garden expresses her aim in educating others about diverse, wonderful plants.
Fisher, Eunine - Lilium expert and author of the leading checklist.
Fisk, Jim - Clematis breeder, nurseryman from Fisk's Clematis Nursery. Known for C. 'Alice Fisk'
Flaitz, Henry - California breeder of spiral rex Begonia.
Fleischmann, Carl - German breeder of Knap Hill type azaleas
Flemer III, William - horticulturist, introducer of numerous fine woody plant cultivars, long associated with Princeton Nurseries.
Fleming (brothers) - these Nebraska brothers work in Lagerstroemia but are perhaps best known for breeding interspecific, compact, and floriferous Hibiscus with lovely flower and foliage colors. 'Copper King', 'Royal Gems', and 'Fireball' are favorites.
Fleming, Joyce - rose breeder. Her work focuses on hardiness, disease resistance, and insect resistance.
Flint, Harrison - woody plant expert. His well known Landscape Plants for Eastern North America has influenced thousands of students, nurserymen, and experts over the years.
Flores, Barbara - Helianthus expert and author of The Great Sunflower Book.
Foerster, Karl (1874 - 1970) - German perennial breeder and author of numerous books. His cultivar selections are among the finest ever made. Even those few which are surpassed form the basis of more recent improvements.
Foley, P. - nurseryman frm Little Heath Nursery, UK, known for Pieris japonica 'Little Heath'
Fopma, Jan - Clematis breeder from Boskoop, known for 'Annemieke' among others.
Forbes, ? - British nurseryman (Forbes of Hawick), perennial experts. Graham Thomas reminds us that Forbes offered 100 Penstemon, 60 Gaillardia, 120 Pyrethrum, and 350 different Phlox as early as 1901.
Fogg, John M. - Magnolia and Michelia expert
Force, Larry - nurseryman (Desota Co., Mississippi) known recently for Lantana 'Star Landing', showing great colors and hardiness to USDA 7.
Forrest, George (1873 - 1932) - plant collector, explorer, Rhododendron expert. He is perhaps the leading introducer of new Rhododendron taxa to our gardens and his collections are still studied today. Unlike other explorers he wrote very few and certainly no well known works.
Fortune, Robert (1812 - 1880) - Curator of the Chelsea Physic Garden, plant explorer particular to China beginning in 1852. Most plants bearing the epithet fortunei are in his honor. He introduced Camellia (Thea) sinensis, the tea plant to the west. He introduced cultivars too including the long popular Juniperus chinensis 'Columnaris' and the lovely J. chinensis 'Variegata'.
Foster, E.E. - Alabama nurseryman who changed the landscape of the southern US with his Foster hybrids of I. x attentuata.
Franczak, Stephan (Brother) - Wwarsaw, Poland breeder of Clematis and Friar. His Clematis 'Jan Pawel II' (John Paul II) named for the late Pontiff is a creamy pink plant up to 14cm wide wtih rich qualities. His very bright hybrid CARDINAL WYSZYNSKI is now very popular. Clematis 'Laura' is a nice very undulate in bright lilac to 10 inches wide. 'Polish Spirit' is one of the more commercial popular of his works.
Franklin, Alonzo Berry - nurseryman (Franklin Nursery), breeder of numerous peonies.
Fraser, John (1752-1811) - Inverness-born collector of woody plants though a hosier and linen-draper by trade. He traveled to North America in 1780 along with Sir James Smith of the Linnean Society. He made about a dozen more trips and brought back such fine taxa as Pieris floribunda and Rhododendron catawbiense. Magnolia fraseri honors him. W.J. Bean describes him as "enterprising, indefatigable, and perservering".
Fraser, Oliver - known for selection of the famous Photinia x fraseri and the original clone 'Birmingham'
Freeman, O.M. - US National Arboretum researcher known for Acer x freemannii (A. rubrum x A. saccharinum) as well Magnolia 'Maryland' (M. virginiana x M. grandiflora).
Fretwell, Barry - Clematis expert and author of a very comprehensive book on same. His hybrids include the wonderful 'Arabella' and 'Dovedale'. My favorite of his crosses is the bicolored white and violet 'Foxy', a derivative of C. alpina.
Frey, Elsie M. - early Begonia breeders
Frikart, ? - breeder of the Aster x frikartii 'Monch' and 'Wonder of Stafa'.
Frisbie, Leonard F.- Tacoma Washington breeder of Rhododendron occidentale azalea hybrids in the early 1900's.
Frowine, Steve - nurseryman (The Great Plant Company) and introducer of many exclusive new plants to gardens.
Fuller, R. - Viola expert and author of a 1990 guide on modern variants.
Furman, Kasha and David - experts in rare Chinese tree peonies, owners of Cricket Hill Garden, one of the largest collections of Paeonia anywhere.
Gable, Joseph F. - Pennsylvania nurseryman perhaps best known for the Gable azalea hybrids. He also discovered a number of hemlock clones.
Galle, Fred C. - horticulturist at Calloway Gardens, one of the century's leading azalea experts. Author of impressive leading references on azalea and Ilex.
Gamble, Ken - British Pelargonium breeder. His cultivars have the Highland prefix.
Gardener, Rob - North Carolina Botanic Garden curator and expert in native plants and breeder of same. His Baptisia 'Purple Smoke' and 'Carolina Moonmist' are both modern classics, loved around the world. His series of Sarracenia cultivars in the LITLE BUGS series have made that genus available in superior, colorful clones to many around the world. The rich red colors, contrasting venation, and glorious subtle colors in his hybrids have taken this genus for an oddity for specialists to something the intermediate gardener can grow to beauty with ease and without the need for building your own backyard swamp!
Gartrell, Robert - azalea breeder known for the famous Robin Hill series. In his 50 years of work he took the charm of the Satsuki cultivars and combined them with more durable, spreading landscape types.
Gault, S. Millar - rose expert and co-author of The Dictionary of Roses in Colour.
Gelderen, Dirk M. van - nurseryman (Firma Esveld), woody plant expert particularly in conifers and Acer. The family Aceretum may be the best maple collection ever assembled.
Genge, Geoff and Adair - NZ Lavandula breeders known for the stunning 'Winton'.
Gerard, John - physician and botanist known for his Catalogus, the first catalog of ornamentals grown in London. His Herbal  of 1597 was also remarkable for gardeners. He pretty much beat every one on this page having cataloged his garden back in 1596. William Turner was only one to publish an herb taxonomy before him. By his era, some 100 species of exotic trees were known in Britain (just 30 in Turner's time). He was among the first to cultivated North American species including Thuja occidentalis and Yucca gloriosa.
Gillam, Ian - Canadian breeder of Pelargonium, especially known for pioneering work in the variegated Stellar types.
Girard, Peter and family - nurserymen (Girard Nurseries), and introducers of many fine cultivars, especially a series of azaleas bearing the nursery's name. He also introduced Ilex crenata 'Black Beauty'.  One of his prettiest plants is Cornus florida 'Pionsett', a superior gold-berried clone that is supplemented with contrasting red fall foliage. Their Leucothoe fontainesiana 'Girard's Rainbow' is a very popular variegated plant.
Glasscock, Lyman - noted Paeonia breeder. His APS Gold Medal 'Red Charm' is a double of rich red, full double qualities but one tolerant even of southern US conditions.
Glick, Barry - nurseryman (Sunshine Farms), plant collector, and introducer of many rare species and hybrids from his collecton of over 10,000 taxa. They have an active program to breed and distribute new Helleborus. Known as the Cyberplantsman on Gardenweb his articles are widely read. Greatplants.com offers his profile.
Goemans, J.A.M. - Dutch nurseryman and breeder of Alstroemeria hybrids.
Gooch, Ruth - Clematis expert and author.
Goodwin, Nancy - owner of Montrose Nursery, NC and known worldwide for her remarkable Heuchera 'Montrose Ruby'.
Goodwn, Peter - New Zealand grower who specializes in yellow and variegated Clivia.
Gordon, G. - conifer expert known for his 1858 work The Pinetum.
Gossett, Gary - plant breeder for Dan Heim's Terra Nova Nursery since 1999.
Gosling, S.G. - Chrysanthemum expert, author, and cultivar registrar.
Gossler, Marjory & Roger - nurserymen (Gossler Farms), Magnolia experts, and authors.
Gotelli, ? - one of America's leading conifer collectors of the century. His famous collection is now part of the National Arboretum and holds many rare and large specimens. As most avid collectors will do he introduced a number of unique cultivars.
Gowen, J.R. - British horticulturists who who experimented with Ghent and other deciduous species hybrids of azalea. He crossed. Rhododendron viscosum and R. luteum to produce the first Ornatum Hybrids.  He also worked with R. molle x R. viscosum to produce the so-called Viscosepalum Hybrids in that genus.
Graaff, Herman - Dutch Fuchsia breeder who made many breakthroughs in purple colors as well as use of rare species in the mix.
Graf, Alfred Byrd - nurseryman, tropical plant expert, and author of the legendary Exotica and Tropica. His reference works are world famous for the quantity of excellent photographs. He was one of the first to bring together descriptions of cultivars in many tropical/house plant genera and attempt to solve the nomenclature.
Grant, Alvan - Director of Parks at Rcohester, NY. He selected the clone 'Rochester' which was a slow, thcik-leaved plant with thick, waxy florets. This Rochester Strain later became part of other's breeders work including the late Dr. Donald Egolf.
Grant, Greg - plant collector and introducer of new cultivars including some well adapted to Texas. He has selected a number of important Verbena clones.
Gratwick, William - Paeonia breeder who took up Prof. Saunders work and possessed his equally fine taste and skill. His work with Nassos Daphnis resulted in the famed Gratwick-Daphnis
Gray, Alec - leading authority for many years on miniature daffodils, hybridizer of same and nurseryman.
Green, Peter S. - British taxonomist at the Kew Herbarium.
Greer, Harold - owner of Greer Gardens (founded by his father) ,leading expert on Rhododendron, and author of several works on the genus, developer of many superior azaleas and Rhododendron cultivars.
Gregory, Peter - Maple expert, co-founder of the The Maple Society (1990). He managed the Westonbirt Arboretum and has recently (2001) revised and expanded J.T. Vertree's classic on Japanese maples.
Grieve, Peter - British Pelargonium grower known for his 1858 introduction of the still very popular 'Mrs. Pollack'.
Grenfell, Diana - a leading British Hosta expert, collector, and author of a popular book.
Gresham, Todd (Dr.) - Magnolia expert, collector, and breeder of numerous superior cultivars. His Magnolias 'Heaven Scent', 'Peppermint Stick', 'Raspberry Ice' and 'Full Elipse' are remarkable.
Grey-Wilson, C. - herbaceous perennial expert known for two excellent books on Papaver and Cyclamen.
Griesbach, Robert A. - Biology professor at DePaul University, breeder of Hemerocallis and Gladiolus. He is credited with perfecting the means of inducing tetraploidy in daylilies which did much to improve their flower size and durability in the modern landscape. He also made breakthroughs in red flowered daylilies.
Griesbach, Robert J. - Research Geneticist at National Arboretum (staff page), expert in transgenic work including flower color modifications.
Grootendorst, H.J. - Dutch nurseryman and woody plant expert. Author of numerous authoritative studies of superior cultivars notably in the journal Dendroflora. He was the first to publish and describe in print many fine cultivars in the European trade.
Grounds, Roger - ornamental grass expert and author of a popular book on same.
Guillot, ? - French rose breeder credited (by some at least) for creating the Hybrid Tea.
Gumbleton, W.E. - Eremurus breeder.
Gwaltney, James - nurseryman (Flowerwood Nurseries, Mobile, AL USA) known for his Abelia x grandiflora CONFETTI.