The American Horticultural Society is excited to share that the 33rd annual National Children & Youth Garden Symposium will be held in Hartford, CT from Tuesday, July 8 to Friday, July 11, 2025. The symposium will focus on “Science & History in Youth Gardening” and will be headquartered at the Connecticut Science Center. Read more on our NCYGS page. Full details and registration will become available in January. Mark your calendars now!
From August 19 to 23, a group of AHS travelers journeyed to Portland and the Willamette Valley with AHS Hosts Holly and Osamu Shimizu to explore the region’s iconic gardens, sustainable horticultural practices, and farm-to-table traditions. AHS traveler and Extension Master Gardener Amy Krafft shared the fascinating account below of some of the special experiences the AHS group enjoyed during the trip.
If you’d like to learn about AHS travel programs, visit www.ahsgardening.org/travel or contact Mercedes Bryant at travel@ahsgardening.org.
Exploring Gardens in Oregon
A Trip with AHS
By Amy Krafft, Extension Master Gardener
In late August, I went on my first American Horticultural Society member trip to Portland, Oregon and the Willamette Valley for 5 days. Led by AHS hosts Holly and Osamu Shimizu, we received a warm welcome everywhere we went, visiting a small family farm, a Pinot Noir vineyard, three beautiful botanical gardens, a Portland plant nursery, and the Annual Festival at Swan Island Dahlias. We also enjoyed the excellent Oregon farm-to-table scene eating our meals at a range of casual to fancy restaurants where seasonal dishes were made with locally grown ingredients from the surrounding Willamette Valley.
While visiting Marion Acres Farm in Hillsboro, I was excited to learn that this small pasture-based farm is successful in using the rotational grazing system pioneered by Joel Salatin, one of Virginia’s most famous farmers. The pasture grazing system is holistic and sustainable by mimicking nature in harmony, where wild animals arrive in herds, eat, and move on to new pastures. In this case the Black Angus cattle herd is followed by a mobile chicken coop to feed on the cow dung, leaving behind sufficient fertilizer to regrow the grassland to repeat the pasture grazing cycle again.
As a long-time conifer enthusiast, I was in conifer heaven seeing a tremendous variety of conifers growing in nearly perfect harmony at the Japanese Garden and the Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland as well as at the Oregon Garden in Silverton. At the Oregon Garden, I was delighted to see the very large dwarf conifer collection maintained as the Conifer Reference Garden by members of the American Conifer Society.
At this time I am still trying to select a few dahlia tubers to plant next Spring from over 375 types grown at Swan Island Dahlias.
While I have taken quite a few group trips, this AHS trip was certainly one of my all-time favorites. Travelling with the Shimizus and a group of people who share a love of plants made for easy conversation and a very enjoyable trip.
Photos:
Right: Portland Japanese Garden
Middle: Oregon Garden, Silverton, OR
Left Top: Oregon Garden, Silverton, OR
Left Bottom: Lan Su Chinese Garden
David J. Ellis, Editor of The American Gardener, received the Hall of Fame Honor and contributing writers Marianne Willburn and Gail Hudson are recipients of Laurel Media Awards.
ALEXANDRIA, VA (DATE) – The American Horticultural Society (AHS) is proud to announce that The American Gardener, the Society’s print and digital membership magazine, has been recognized with three distinguished honors by Garden Communicators International (GardenComm).
David J. Ellis, long-time editor of The American Gardener, has been inducted into the GardenComm Hall of Fame, the organization’s highest honor. This prestigious accolade acknowledges Ellis’s significant contributions to advancing GardenComm’s mission and values throughout his career.
Joining the AHS as Assistant Editor in 1994, Ellis became editor of The American Gardener in 1998, overseeing nearly 200 issues. He also managed the publication of more than 20 gardening books through AHS’s publishing program, directed AHS’s digital communications and outreach initiatives, and often served as the AHS’s spokesperson. His expertise has led to appearances on national radio programs like National Public Radio’s “Science Friday,” participation in horticultural panels across the country, and hosting tours internationally for the AHS Travel Study program. An active member of GardenComm since 1998, Ellis was named a GardenComm Fellow in 2008 and has served on multiple GardenComm committees. Ellis, who plans to retire in December 2024, will continue to contribute to the AHS by leading a Travel Study program to South Africa’s Cape region in 2025.
In addition to Ellis’s recognition, two contributing writers to The American Gardener have been honored with GardenComm’s Laurel Media Awards. Marianne Willburn received a gold medal for her 2023 opinion column series “In Defense of Gardening…,” while Gail Hudson was awarded a silver medal for her article, “Kicking the Plastic Pot Habit,” which appeared in the July/August 2023 issue of The American Gardener. The awards were announced on August 28 at GardenComm’s annual conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
“These accolades highlight the exceptional quality of our editorial team and the impact of The American Gardener magazine as a leading publication in the horticultural community,” says Suzanne Laporte, President and CEO of the AHS. “We congratulate David Ellis and contributing writers Marianne Willburn and Gail Hudson, on their well-deserved recognition, and thank them for their outstanding contributions to AHS and horticultural communication.”
About the American Horticultural Society
Founded in 1922, the nonprofit American Horticultural Society (AHS) is one of the most respected and longstanding member-based national gardening organizations in North America. The Society’s membership includes more than 22,000 aspiring, new, and experienced gardeners, plant enthusiasts, and horticultural professionals, as well as numerous regional and national partner organizations. Through its educational programs, awards, and publications, the AHS inspires a culture of gardening and horticultural practices that creates and sustains healthy, beautiful communities and a livable planet. AHS is headquartered at River Farm, 25-acre site overlooking the Potomac River that is part of George Washington’s original farmlands in Alexandria, Virginia. www.ahsgardening.org
The American Horticultural Society is proud to announce that we are publishing two essential gardening guides with Cool Spring Press in early 2025: American Horticultural Society Essential Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening and American Horticultural Society Essential Guide to Perennial Gardening. These guides will be the first new books from the AHS in over two decades and we could not be more excited to share with you our paperback guidebooks. The books are currently available for pre-order through our Publisher, Cool Springs Press, below.
AHS Essential Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening will be released on January 7th and offers indispensable insight into growing a modern edible garden, at home. This book is meant to inform at-home gardeners across the country, and is applicable for all horticultural regions. The guide begins with an overview of the history of vegetable gardening in North American from indigenous cultures up to today’s biodiversity-nurturing growers. The AHS Essential Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening provides all the necessary information for cultivating and finding success with an at-home vegetable garden.
The second book, AHS Essential Guide to Perennial Gardening, will be released on February 4th. This guide offers a comprehensive and modern guide to cultivating and caring for perennial plants, including many native to North America. Our manual is designed to equip gardeners with knowledge and tips to successfully grow perennials with today’s ever-changing gardening challenges. This book takes a modern approach to perennial gardening by focusing on the garden as an ecosystem that depends on natural resiliency over human interference.
Please visit our publisher, Cool Spring Press, to read more about these fantastic books and to pre-order!
AHS Essential Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening
AHS Essential Guide to Perennial Gardening
As summer draws to a close and the colder months approach, we’ll soon be longing for verdant, sunlit destinations. An ideal tropical escape awaits: our AHS Hawaii program from April 27-May 3, 2025! Discover the islands of Kauai and Oahu, where horticultural wonders abound. Tour lush botanical gardens when closed to the public with the lead horticulturist. Marvel at iconic sites and enjoy exclusive tours at beautiful private homes and gardens.
Dive into the program details below and enjoy a Q&A with Trip Host Keith Tomlinson, a renowned interpretive naturalist who studied at the University of Hawaii and worked in the Botany Department at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. A member of the AHS Horticultural Advisory Council, Keith looks forward to sharing his expert insights with AHS travelers on this special program. Plus, explore other upcoming AHS trips. Keep reading to learn more!
Experience the Magic of Hawaii with the AHS
Tropical Treasures: Hawaii’s Garden Delights & Lei Day Festivities
April 27- May 3, 2025
With AHS Host Keith Tomlinson
Optional Extension: Big Island: May 3-7, 2025
With its flourishing forests, breathtaking volcanic peaks, and crystal-clear waters, it’s no wonder that novelist and travel writer Paul Theroux observed, “Hawaii is not a state of mind, but a state of grace.” We’re thrilled to invite you to join the AHS for an unforgettable journey to explore its majestic landscapes, stunning gardens, and exotic birds.
Explore the lush beauty of Limahuli Gardens on Kauai, where you’ll be immersed in vibrant flora and learn about the preservation of native and culturally significant plant species. Savor spectacular views of the Na Pali Coast and embark on tranquil walks in Koke’e State Park, home to rare forest birds and endemic plants. At Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, perched atop a 180-foot ocean bluff, observe rare seabirds and look for the Hawaiian goose (nēnē), as well as dolphins, seals, sea turtles, and humpback whales in the ocean below. Visit Common Ground Farm for a unique culinary experience and enjoy farm-to-table dishes showcasing the freshest local ingredients. Journey to Waimea Canyon State Park to marvel at the expansive Waimea Canyon, known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Enjoy special tours of the McBryde & Allerton Gardens in Lawa’i Valley.
The journey continues on Oahu, where you’ll delve into its rich cultural and botanical heritage. Visit historic Pearl Harbor and the renowned Bishop Museum for a behind-the-scenes tour. Venture to the picturesque Manoa Valley for visits to the University of Hawaii’s Lyon Arboretum, home to over 5,000 species of tropical and sub-tropical plants, and the Manoa Heritage Center, a living classroom dedicated to teaching Hawaii’s natural and cultural heritage. Explore Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden at the base of the Koolau mountains. As guests at a botanist’s private garden, learn about his efforts to cross-pollinate Ti plants and create new colors and textures. Delight in Lei Day, an annual celebration of Hawaiian culture. Participate in a festival in Kapiolani Park on May 1st that showcases the skill and artistry of Hawaii’s lei makers while enjoying local entertainment and hula performances.
For those who want to deepen their exploration, an optional post-trip extension awaits on the Big Island. Witness the power of nature at Kilauea volcano with a resident volcanologist, explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and visit the stunning Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, the Paleaku Gardens Peace Sanctuary, and the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Gardens. And enjoy a Kona coffee tour for a true taste of Hawaii!
Explore More in 2025
In addition to our breathtaking AHS Hawaii program, we’re offering a wide range of other remarkable travel experiences in 2025. Limited spots remain on the following programs:
Floral Splendor and Artistry: Dutch Waterways by Private River Barge
April 15-24, 2025
Aboard the Magnifique IV
With AHS Host Katie Tukey
Optional Amsterdam Extension: April 24-26, 2025
Embark on an enchanting spring cruise along picturesque Dutch waterways aboard the privately chartered river barge, Magnifique IV. Amidst blooming season, visit public and private gardens on expert-guided tours.
Garden Wonders of Southern Italy: Naples, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast
May 21-29, 2025
With AHS Host Joan Barclay
Optional Extension: Pompeii and Paestum: May 19-21, 2025
Join the AHS on an enchanting journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Naples, Sorrento, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast, when the springtime sun casts its magic, transforming seaside gardens into a kaleidoscope of vibrant hues.
Highlands, Islands, and Fjords: Scotland, Orkney Islands, and Norway
May 29-June 8, 2025
Aboard Exploris One
With AHS Hosts Holly and Osamu Shimizu
Optional Pre-Trip Extension: Scottish Highlands: May 26-30, 2025
Optional Post-Trip Extension: Oslo: June 8-11, 2025
Experience an in-depth exploration of the magnificent landscapes, remote islands, blooming gardens, ancient settlements, and idyllic villages of the Scottish Highlands, Orkney Islands, and Norwegian fjords.
South Africa’s Blooming Landscapes: Wildflowers, Nature Reserves, and Gardens
August 24-September 6, 2025
With AHS Hosts David and Janice Ellis
Optional Extension: Blyde River Canyon & Wildlife Safari:
September 5-11, 2025
Discover the breathtaking landscapes of South Africa against the backdrop of wildflower season on our immersive AHS program designed to showcase the country’s rich biodiversity, cultural heritage, and natural wonders.
AHS travel programs offer a unique blend of garden-focused experiences and cultural immersion, making them ideal for holidays, anniversaries, or special celebrations. Whether traveling with loved ones or embarking on a solo adventure, you’ll find a welcoming AHS community and unforgettable experiences.
We look forward to sharing these once-in-a-lifetime AHS adventures with you! Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t miss out. For more information and to secure your spot, visit www.ahsgardening.org/travel, email travel@ahsgardening.org, or call Mercedes Bryant at (703) 768-8801.
We are excited to announce the launch of the Fall 2024 Lifelong Learning Programs from AHS! The Fall Lifelong Learning Programs provide opportunities to learn and develop your horticultural knowledge; whether you are a beginner gardener or an expert horticulturist, there is something for everyone.
The fall programs will launch in mid-September with four series: Horticulture & the Environment; Garden Design & Techniques; Plants, Culture, & Community; and Behind-the-Scenes Garden Tours. All series offer engaging and unique programs for a range of plant enthusiasts. Most programs are offered virtually and are accessible to our audiences across the country. We are pleased to feature renowned speakers including botanical artist and landscape designer Lily Kwong, ecological horticulturist Rebecca McMackin, and bestselling author and environmental journalist Zoe Schlanger.
Lily Kwong is an LA-based artist who works to reconnect people to nature through transformative landscape project and botanical art installations. Her work brings together horticulture, urban design, contemporary art, and climate awareness.
Rebecca McMackin is a horticulturist and garden designer who works to help people create and car for beautiful gardens that also have the benefit of providing habitats for birds and butterflies while also promoting the health of soil microorganisms. Rebecca works to educate people on ecological landscape management and pollination ecology.
Zoe Schlanger is a staff reporter at the Atlantic who covers climate change. Her book The Light Eaters investigates plant behavior research and how scientist are uncovering new and dynamic characteristics of plants. Her book helps to introduce the reader to the scientists and plants that are reshaping how we think about intelligence, consciousness, and the agency of nonhuman life.
We have also added new Behind-the-Scenes Garden Tours, which are exclusive in-person opportunities for AHS members, in the Philadelphia, Indianapolis, and Boston areas for this fall.
Finally, our inagural self-paced online course will be returning this fall! The course will be available from September 18 – February 24.
Visit https://ahsgardening.org/lifelong-learning-2/ to learn more about the offerings and register! AHS Members receive a discount on the registration fee.
Spots for the programs fill fast, so be sure to secure your spot now!
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 AHS Great American Gardeners Awards. Since 1953, the Awards have recognized individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions to the American horticulture. Each year, we solicit nominations from the general public to recognize these top individuals and organizations. We are proud to honor these Great American Gardeners.
This year we are accepting nominations for seven awards:
The Liberty Hyde Bailey Award, our most prestigious award given to an individual who has made significant lifetime contributions to multiple horticultural fields.
The Jane L. Taylor Award, dedicated to individuals or organizations that have supported children and youth gardening.
The Emerging Horticultural Professional Award, which recognizes horticulturists in the early stages of their careers.
The Garden Stewardship Award, for a public garden that embraces sustainable practices.
The B.Y. Morrison Communication Award, which recognizes inspirational communication that advances horticulture.
The Landscape Design Award honors a professional committed to sustainable landscape architecture practices.
The Frances Jones Poetker Award, recognizing significant contributions to floral design.
We look forward to reading every nomination received and exploring and celebrating the great diversity of horticultural work taking place around the country, We are thankful to our AHS Awards Committee for their time and expertise in reviewing nominations for horticultural excellence. The 2025 committee includes:
Holly Shimizu, committee chair, AHS board member, and former director of the U.S. Botanic Garden (MD)
Dr. David Kopsell, professor of horticulture, Illinois State University (IL)
Kaifa Anderson-Hall, president and CEO of Plants and Blooms Reimagined (Washington, D.C.)
Diane Blazek, executive director, All-America Selections/National Garden Bureau (IL)
Lee Coykendall, former senior education specialist, U.S. Botanic Garden (Washington, D.C.)
Kate Delaney, director of career development, Society of American Florists (PA)
Panayoti Kelaidis, senior curator and director of outreach, Denver Botanic Gardens (CO)
Kelly D. Norris, author, plantsman, and landscape designer (IA)
Nan Sterman, garden designer, botanist, author, and garden communicator (CA)
To learn more about the awards and submit nominations, visit https://ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/national-awards/great-american-gardeners/
According to Forbes, “Bermuda serves as an ideal winter escape for adventurous travelers.” Join AHS in Bermuda in December for an unforgettable journey!
Explore Bermuda’s breathtaking natural and cultural wonders, and enjoy behind-the-scenes tours of private gardens and museums. Venture into Spittal Pond Nature Reserve, a verdant, 64-acre conservation area. Furthermore, at Cooper’s Island, learn about the culling of invasive plants and replanting of native and endemic plants. On a visit to the Bermuda Natural History Museum, learn about the island’s unique geological history and diversity of habitats. Discover Bermuda’s most stunning underground natural attraction, the renowned Crystal Cave. Notably, its crystal-clear lake reflects pristine white stalactites.
To top it off, delight in visits to iconic cultural landmarks such as St. Peter’s Church and St. George’s. Fun fact: St. George’s is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that magically transforms into a glittering wonderland each year for the enchanting “Christmas Walkabout.” AHS travelers will have the special opportunity to participate in this festive winter holiday event!
Learn more and read an interview with AHS Trip Host Naomi Mermin, an environmental strategy consultant and urban garden advocate. As space is limited, visit http://www.ahsgardening.org/bermuda2024/ and register today!
Throughout the centuries, Black Americans have elevated the field of horticulture, making discoveries and revolutionizing gardening practices. This Black History Month, we celebrate all Black horticulturists making a difference and paving the way for future gardeners. While there are too many impactful changemakers to recognize, we have chosen a few key figures to highlight. By lifting the voices of these select gardeners, we hope to foster a culture that invites all Americans to garden to ensure a thriving and beautiful world for current and future generations.
Historical Figures
Many historical figures helped shape the field of horticulture, furthering study in botany, agriculture, and plant science. Marie Clark Taylor, the first woman to obtain her scientific doctoral degree and the first African American woman to gain her Ph.D. in botany from Fordham University in 1941, eventually became a professor at her alma mater, Howard University in Washington, D.C., one of many Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country.
Another important figure who shaped the field of horticulture in the 20th century was Booker T. Whatley, a Black horticulturist and agriculture professor at the historic Tuskegee University in Alabama. As an advocate for sustainable gardening practices and biodiversity in gardening, he encouraged African American farmers to adopt regenerative farming techniques in the 1960s and 1970s. He pioneered what would eventually become the modern crop share, having members pay for a season’s worth of crops in advance. In the mid-1980s, he published a book called How to Make $100,000 Farming 25 Acres, which helped disadvantaged farmers make the most of their land. His impact on the field of horticulture resounds even today.
Plantfluencers
One group that is currently gaining traction in the public eye is “plantfluencers,” influencers who create content about gardening and houseplants. In the most recent edition of The American Gardener, writer Georgia Silvera Seamans featured three Black influencers who are prominent players in the houseplant social media sphere:
Kamili Bell Hill (@plantblerd) from New Rochelle, New York started her career as a lawyer, but now has published a book on gardening and indoor houseplants called Happy Plants, Happy You. She sees cultivating plants as a vehicle for self-love and anti-racism.
Plant biologist specializing in ethnobotany, Derek Haynes (@thechocolatebotanist) serves as a board member for The North Carolina Botanical Garden Foundation in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He creates content tying together his identity as a Black man with his love for plants.
Stephanie Horton (@botanicalblackgirl) grew up in a plant-loving family in St. Louis, Missouri, but now lives and grows in Huntsville, Alabama. She has worked with HBCUs such as Alabama A&M to revitalize their agricultural programs and interdisciplinary career opportunities to further involve Black people in horticulture. She also produces events at a plant shop to “broaden the houseplant community.”
Nonprofits
Many nonprofits champion education and sustainability while working to increase food security for underserved communities. One organization is Soul Fire Farm, a Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-focused organization using ancestral and sustainable methods to farm land in Grafton, New York. By championing farming methods that work in harmony with the earth, Soul Fire Farm, founded by Leah Penniman and Jonah Vitale-Wolff, is striving to achieve its mission to end racism in the food system and foster a more inclusive culture that recognizes the value of caring for our planet and working to leave the land better off than they found it.
Black Garden History
If you are interested in learning more about the role of the Black community in gardening throughout history, join us for a Lifelong Learning Session with Abra Lee on February 2 at 2:00 p.m. ET when she will talk about “Black Garden History: A Great American Road Trip.” In this session, Lee will highlight historic and influential figures in Black garden history. Lee is an American public horticulturist, historian, and writer who currently serves as the Director of Horticulture at Historic Oakland Foundation in Atlanta. You can register for the program here.
Clearly, the role African Americans have played in shaping horticulture cannot be understated. Many important discoveries and innovations would not exist without the hard work of Black gardeners, and we are thankful for their contributions every day. We are happy to honor and recognize important figures in the field for Black History Month, but also recognize that these figures should be celebrated year-round. We hope to see even more diverse voices amplified in the field for years to come.