In Memoriam: Hans Hachmann
Hans Hachmann of Barmstedt/Holstein, Germany, one of the most successful rhododendron hybridizers and growers of our time, died in March 2004. Mr. Hachmann began hybridizing in 1952 at his nursery in Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany. By 1996 he had made more than 4,500 crosses and raised more than 1 million seedlings to flowering size. New hybrids were tested against a collection of more than 1,000 of the world's best hybrids located in a comparison garden. He introduced and registered the names of over 200 top quality hybrids covering the spectrum of elepidote and lepidote rhododendrons and deciduous and evergreen azaleas. Visitors to the Hachmann nursery were always impressed by the lines and lines of perfect plants and the display garden. Hans Hachmann's son Holger will take over the nursery, including the breeding program. Mr. Hachmann received the ARS Gold Medal Award in 1996 in recognition of his contributions.