The American Rhododendron Society
Gold Medal Awards and Citations - 1970To Robert L. Ticknor of Canby, Oregon
Fig. 34. A.R.S. Secy. Treas. Dr.
Robert Ticknor receives
his Citation from President
Carl H. Phetteplace.
In appreciation of
his unhesitating willingness and readiness to give of his time and travel for
lectures throughout the United States; his never failing interest in providing
educational material, help and inspiration in organizing and fostering Study
Groups continuing to this day with progressive development.
For his experiments and his contributions to our
knowledge on feeding. soil composition, and research on weed control. For his extensive
interest and work with the Genus
Rhododendron, beginning long before he was a member of the Rhododendron Society
but engaged with general horticultural activities that occupied his attention on
the East Coast.
For his many quiet, non-intrusive labors on behalf of
the Rhododendron Society, both in the local chapter as well as with the National
organization in its demands as an officer, as a Board member. and as member of
numerous committees.
The American Rhododendron Society presents its highest
tribute, the GOLD MEDAL to ROBERT L. TICKNOR Member of the Portland Chapter of the A.
R. S.
By unanimous action of the Board of Directors of The American Rhododendron
Society, May 1970
To Mr. Koichiro Wada, Yokohama, Japan
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Fig. 35. President Carl H. Phetteplace presents the A.R.S. Citation to Mr. Koichiro Wada. |
It is for exceptional merit that the American Rhododendron
Society has reached beyond the boundaries of the United States to award its
highest honor to a man whose name is well stamped in the rhododendron world.
His contributions in this field are monumental and in one way or another
have had impact on all members of this society.
For one who was not afforded a horticultural education, Mr. Wada acquired a
vast fund of plant information in his early youth. At the age of 20 he had
already introduced to English and continental gardens numerous plant treasures
hitherto unknown in the western world. His work breeding azaleas, maples, lilies
and tree peonies are well documented. We hope soon to hear of his rhododendron
breeding especially designed to withstand hot dry weather.
Mr. Wada's discerning search for new species and in
particular dwarf forms of Japanese varieties has produced a host of new plants
many of which are proving worthy parents in rhododendron breeding.
His introduction of R. yakushimanum
almost 40 years ago is now a legend. The finest form of this superb species has
deservedly been name Koichiro Wada! Many of us have received invaluable
quantities of seeds, cuttings and plants from this generous plantsman which
ultimately must enrich us all. His frequent attendance of our national meetings
has permitted opportunity to better know him for the kindly, modest and
knowledgeable man that he is.
Therefore it is with great pleasure, Mr. Koichiro Wada,
that the American Rhododendron Society presents you with its gold medal.
To Mrs. Robert Berry, Aberdeen, Washington
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Fig. 36. Mrs. Robert Berry receiving her Citation from A.R.S. President Carl H. Phetteplace. |
Perhaps no member of our Society is as well known to so many
other members as is Mrs. Robert Berry. Certainly, few have done as much to
introduce the genus and the Society to as many persons. Our highest award, the
Gold Medal, is given for outstanding contributions to the genus or to the
Society. On both counts, Esther Berry has earned this honor in full measure.
As an enthusiastic member of the Grays Harbor Chapter
she had much to do with its growth, has been very instrumental in promoting
rhododendron plantings in that area and is still active in establishing an
arboretum at the Grays Harbor College campus, Always generous with her time and
plants, she has been of great aid to the University of Washington Arboretum, has
served as judge at numerous chapter shows and, despite sometimes heavy
obligations at home, has always been ready to help on call.
For several terms she has served as a very talented and decorative member of the
national Board, both as a chapter
president and as an elected director. From here she launched what has become the
most successful and fruitful enterprise of the Society, The Seed Exchange,
Initiated, implemented, and executed by Esther Berry, with the help of many
devoted co-workers, this project is second only to the Bulletin in popularity.
It has stirred interest in rhododendron breeding and propagation throughout the
Society, awakening a dozing talent in old members, bringing in new ones and
- mirabile dictu - makes money!
It would be well-nigh impossible to guess the hours of
effort Esther has put in on this important work, Just as improbable would it be
to count the many acts of kindness and service she has performed for our members
and others. She has earned the gratitude of gardeners everywhere. Actually. some
people know the Pacific Northwest only as the place where Mrs. Berry lives.
In gratitude for all of these things and because she
is, as one of her chapter members put it "our beloved Esther Berry", the
American Rhododendron Society is pleased and proud to award her the Gold Medal.
To Miss E. Jack, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
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Fig. 37. Miss E. Jack accepts the A.R.S. Citation from President Carl H. Phetteplace. |
It is my privilege to introduce to you a long standing and
highly regarded member of the Vancouver Chapter. The story of Miss Evelyn Jack
is of a person who has literally dedicated most of her waking hours to quietly
and effectively furthering the art of Horticulture and more particularly, the
development of the Rhododendron species in the Pacific Northwest. Since she is a
quiet and unassuming person, she is not well know personally to even some
members of our own Chapter, but those who have worked with her both at U. B. C. and in connection with the Species Foundation of the
A.R.S. are aware of her efforts.
Her interests in rhododendrons was stimulated by a
major gift of rhododendrons from the Greigs of Royston and since that time she
has spent a great deal of time on the collections and has become an
authority on rhododendrons.
With the development of the Species Foundation of the
A.R.S. it became necessary to send scions to Canada from Great Britain, and the
task of rooting and grafting these fell to Miss Jack at U. B. C. Over a period,
1,133 scions with 338 forms were received and propagated practically single
handed by Miss Jack with very few losses. Miss Jack is known to be quietly
helpful to the local buffs in their efforts with rhododendrons. Following the
National convention in Seattle, a member of the Vancouver Chapter is known to
have brought a large flower bedecked hat across the border on the back seat of
her car, decorated with a number of choice clones which were taken to Miss Jack
and successfully propagated!
Too often, members of our society who work quietly and
diligently are passed by at the honors table, so it is with great pleasure that
I recommend on behalf of the Vancouver Chapter, Miss Evelyn Jack, for the Gold
Medal Award of the A.R.S.
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