Canadian Garden Council unveils first Garden Hall of Famers

Butchart Gardens, Vancouver Island.

The Canadian Garden Council has unveiled the first-ever Garden Hall of Famers in celebration of National Garden Day on June 17th. The event marked a momentous occasion in recognising and honouring several historical Canadian figures who have shaped the garden landscape in Canada.

The Canadian Garden Council’s Honour Committee meticulously selected the first Garden Hall of Famers group, which includes gardeners, horticulturalists, designers, educators and advocates who have significantly influenced Canada’s garden culture and championed the importance of gardens in our society.

“Together, our committee made the decision to honour 22 historical leaders as the first Garden Hall of Famers,” says David Galbraith, Head of Science at The Royal Botanical Gardens, representative of the Centre for Canadian Historical Horticultural Studies and Chairman of The Canadian Garden Council’s Honour Committee. “These pioneers have fostered innovation and contributed to the growth of the garden community and horticulture industry in Canada and beyond.”

The virtual unveiling of the Garden Hall of Famers allows the public to discover the extraordinary contributions they made to horticulture and garden experience sectors and Canada’s garden culture. Each of the listed Garden Hall of Famers’ achievements has set new benchmarks and serves as an inspiration for future generations.

“The innovative spirit of the Canadian horticulture community is recognised around the world. This Hall of Fame highlights the contributions of pioneers who have helped create a vibrant community and establish this reputation,” said the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

National Garden Day, observed annually on the third Saturday of June, is dedicated to celebrating the beauty and significance of gardens in our lives. It promotes a unique opportunity for gardeners and gardening organizations to come together, share their passion, and promote the benefits of gardens on our well-being, environment and quality of life of our communities. The virtual unveiling of the first Garden Hall of Famers further amplifies this message by showcasing each historical member and their remarkable work.

Inductees to the Garden Hall of Famers include:

Catherine Parr Traill (1802 – 1889)

Father Léon Provancher (1820 – 1892)

Delos White Beadle (1823 – 1905)

Auguste Dupuis (1839 – 1922)

William Tyrrell Macoun (1869 – 1933)

Brother Marie-Victorin (1885 – 1944)

Lorrie and Howard Dunington-Grubb (1877 – 1945) – (1881 – 1965)

The Hon. Thomas Baker McQuesten (1882 – 1948)

Jennie Butchart (1866 – 1950)

Faith Fyles (1875 – 1961)

Isabella Preston (1881 – 1965)

Elsie Reford (1872 – 1967)

Frank L. Skinner (1882 – 1967)

Wilfrid-Henri and Louis Perron (1897 – 1977) – (1907 – 1990)

Henry Marshall (1916 – 1994)

Dr. Joseph Brueckner (- – 1994)

Felicitas Svejda (1920 – 2016)

Tony Hubert (1938 – 2019)

Cornelia Oberlander (1921 – 2021)

Larry Hodgson (1954 – 2022)

Visit  https://livethegardenlife.gardenscanada.ca/garden-hall-of-famers/ and click on the inductee’s name for an extensive bio.