David Leach Awarded Vail Medal
David G. Leach of North Madison, Ohio, recently received The Garden Center of Greater Cleveland's prestigious Delia White Vail Memorial Gold Medal, one of the eleven top horticultural awards given nationwide.
Cited in the presentation were Leach's numerous accomplishments in rhododendron hybridizing, particularly his efforts to develop varieties with outstanding flower quality, hardiness and the ability to perform under adverse conditions. Special mention was made of 'Golden Gala', Leach's hardy yellow, named to commemorate Holden Arboretum's 50th anniversary.
Among Leach's numerous tributes for his work with rhododendrons are the American Rhododendron Society's Gold Medal and the Jackson Dawson Medal of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. David Leach is the only American to have received the Loder Cup of the Royal Horticultural Society of England.
Leach is past president of the American Horticultural Society, former director of the American Rhododendron Society and former national director of the International Plant Propagators Society.