Established in 1953, the Great American Gardeners Awards honor outstanding contributions to horticulture in areas such as plant research, garden stewardship, outreach, and education. They are among the most prestigious horticultural awards in the U.S.
The American Horticultural Society’s highest award, the Liberty Hyde Bailey Award is given to an individual who has made significant lifetime contributions to at least three of the following horticultural fields: teaching, research, communications, plant exploration, administration, art, business, and leadership.
Brian Kemble has dedicated nearly half a century making an incredible mark on the field of horticulture. He is the curator at The Ruth Bancroft Garden and Nursery, a botanical garden specializing in plants from arid climates. Over the years, he studied the founder’s design principles, expanded her collection, created new hybrids, and played an important role in transitioning the garden to a nonprofit. Beyond his work at the garden, Kemble has led highly impactful and hands-on research on succulents, as well as efforts to make the plants more accessible. Kemble excels not only as a horticulturist and leader, but also as a researcher, plant explorer, communicator, teacher, and mentor.
Given in the early stages of an individual’s career, this award recognizes significant achievements and/or leadership that have advanced the field of horticulture in America.
Amanda Bratcher serves as the Horticulture Agent for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Lee County. She leads and train the Master Gardeners, enhances the Pollinator Haven Garden, and coordinates the Pollinator Census. Bratcher also directs a regional Small Farms Camp and contributes to the Farm to Early Care and Education Project. Her work fosters community engagement and diplomacy through horticulture, leveraging her expertise in innovation and project management. Previously, she curated gardens at Mobile Botanical Gardens and Juniper Level Botanic Garden. Bratcher holds a Bachelor’s degree in Horticultural Science from NC State University and a Master’s degree from the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Given to an individual, organization, or program that has inspired and nurtured future horticulturists through efforts in children’s and youth gardening.
Amy Padolf is the Director of Education at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, where she leads comprehensive plant science education programs for students from pre-kindergarten to post-graduate levels. Throughout her career, she has pioneered innovative educational initiatives that bridge research and education. Notably, she directs the award-winning Fairchild Challenge, which annually engages over 125,000 students in STEM-based programs. Padolf’s achievements include launching the Million Orchid Project, the nation’s largest educational outreach program dedicated to orchid conservation, and collaborating with NASA on Growing Beyond Earth, an international project supporting indoor agriculture. She has also established the nation’s first botany-focused magnet schools and created a makerspace for food production technology. As a respected leader, Padolf has shared her expertise globally, including as a keynote speaker at the 8th Global Botanic Garden Congress in Singapore. She holds degrees in Rhetoric and Science Education and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Education Research.
Given to a public garden that embraces and exemplifies sustainable horticultural practices in design, maintenance, and/or programs.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is a premier botanical garden dedicated to protecting the alpine environment through education, conservation, and living plant collections. Located at 8,200 feet in the Rocky Mountains, it attracts nearly 200,000 visitors annually to see its unique collection of alpine and mountain plants collected from around the world. Featuring an Education Center, Alpine House and active conservation and education programs, the Gardens is a showcase both for using native plants in the landscape and for educating about the different ecosystems of the Rocky Mountains. They demonstrate exemplary stewardship with sustainable practices like low water landscaping, renewable energy, drip irrigation, and waste diversion. The Gardens co-published the North American Botanic Garden Strategy for Alpine Plant Conservation and are members of several global conservation organizations, furthering their commitment to sustainability and conservation beyond their property.
Given to an individual whose work has demonstrated and promoted the value of sustainable horticultural practices in the field of landscape architecture.
For over four decades, Lauren Springer has revolutionized garden design in the western U.S. with her plant-driven, site-specific approach. Starting with her groundbreaking book The Undaunted Garden and continuing through her current work with The Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins, CO, she has introduced resilient, water-wise plants and sustainable landscapes that sparked a regional gardening movement. By expanding the plant palette and influencing programs like Plant Select, Springer has created a new language for gardening, empowering professionals and enthusiasts alike to craft sustainable landscapes in challenging climates and foster a deeper human-plant connection.
Recognizes effective and inspirational communication – through print, radio, television, and/or online media – that advances public interest and participation in horticulture.
Stephanie Cohen is a celebrated author and speaker in horticulture. With over thirty years of experience, she combines practical skills with environmental stewardship, making horticulture accessible to all. Her notable books include The Perennial Gardener’s Design Primer, Fallscaping: Extending Your Gardening Season into Autumn and The Nonstop Garden: A Step-by-Step Guide to Smart Plant Choices and Four-Season Designs. Cohen has written for various publications and was the founding director of Temple University’s Arboretum, where she taught and mentored horticulturists. She has received awards from the Philadelphia Horticultural Society, is a fellow of GardenComm, and was named a Garden Communicator of the Year by the former American Nursery and Landscape Association. Cohen’s contributions have significantly advanced horticultural knowledge and fostered collaboration within the community. Her engaging communication style has elevated the field, providing valuable resources for both beginners and professionals.
Recognizes significant contributions to floral design in publications, on the platform, and to the public.
Amy Merrick is a renowned floral designer, stylist, writer, and teacher celebrated for her poetic and refined approach. Merrick’s expertise stems from years owning a floral studio in New York City that created arrangements for museums and magazines. From there, she spent time as a flower farmer in Washington State, a gardener in England, an ikebana student in Japan, and a foraged floral arranging teacher in Italy. She has created installations for The Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA PS1, and Kamisoe Studios in Kyoto. Merrick’s floral styling has been published in Vogue, Architectural Digest, and Martha Stewart Living. Her book, On Flowers: Lessons from an Accidental Florist, was praised by InStyle, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and her floral design, writing, and photographs have been published in countless other media. Over the past fifteen years, Merrick has influenced floral design trends, inspiring countless people around the world.
Holly Shimizu, MD (AHS Board Member and Committee Chair)
Diane Blazek, IL
Lee Coykendall, Washington, D.C.
Kate Delaney, PA
Panayoti Kelaidis, CO (AHS Board Member)
Dr. David Kopsell, IL
Kelly D. Norris, IA
