Canadian Garden Council to Unveil First Garden Hall of Famers

Inaugural inductees will be revealed as part of National Garden Day celebrations

OTTAWA, June 16, 2023 – The Canadian Garden Council is proud to announce it will unveil the first-ever Garden Hall of Famers in celebration of National Garden Day on June 17^th.

This marks a momentous occasion in recognizing and honouring several historical Canadian figures who have shaped the garden landscape in Canada. The Canadian Garden Council’s Honour Committee meticulously selected the first Garden Hall of Famers group, which includes gardeners, horticulturalists, designers, educators and advocates who have significantly influenced Canada’s garden culture and championed the importance of gardens in our society.

“Together, our committee made the decision to honour 22 historical leaders as the first Garden Hall of Famers,” says David Galbraith, Head of Science at The Royal Botanical Gardens, representative of the Centre for Canadian Historical Horticultural Studies and Chairman of The Canadian Garden Council’s Honour Committee. “These pioneers have fostered innovation and contributed to the growth of the garden community and horticulture industry in Canada and beyond.”

The virtual unveiling of the Garden Hall of Famers allows the public to discover the extraordinary contributions they made to horticulture and garden experience sectors and Canada’s garden culture. Each of the listed Garden Hall of Famers’ achievements has set new benchmarks and serves as an inspiration for future generations.

“The innovative spirit of the Canadian horticulture community is recognized around the world. This Hall of Fame highlights the contributions of pioneers who have helped create a vibrant community and establish this reputation,” said the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

National Garden Day, observed annually on the third Saturday of June, is dedicated to celebrating the beauty and significance of gardens in our lives. It promotes a unique opportunity for gardeners and gardening organizations to come together, share their passion, and promote the benefits of gardens on our well-being, environment and quality of life of our communities. The virtual unveiling of the first Garden Hall of Famers further amplifies this message by showcasing each historical member and their remarkable work.

This milestone event promises to be an inspiring and memorable celebration of those who have shaped Canada’s horticultural landscape.

For more information, go to https://livethegardenlife.gardenscanada.ca/garden-hall-of-famers/

Follow the Canadian Garden Council on Facebook and Instagram @canadiangardencouncil

About The Canadian Garden Council

Established in April 2014, in partnership with the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA), the Canadian Garden Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing Canada’s garden experience sector. With board representation from public gardens across the nation, the Council operates as a not-for-profit corporation. Its network encompasses a wide range of stakeholders, including horticulture, gardening organizations, tourism, and associated industries, at regional, provincial, and territorial levels. This diverse representation enables the Council to effectively address the comprehensive array of challenges and opportunities within the garden experience sector.

About Gardens Canada

Gardens Canada, under the leadership of the Canadian Garden Council, aims to inspire and inform Canadians about the many health and well-being, economic, and environmental benefits gardens provide and promote public gardens as the centres of Canada’s garden culture.

About the Centre for Canadian Historical Horticultural Studies

The Centre for Canadian Historical Horticultural Studies includes archives and a program of scholarly study within Royal Botanical Gardens, Ontario (Hamilton, Ontario and Burlington, Ontario). It focuses on collecting and preserving literature, documents, and artifacts relevant to the history of horticulture in Canada.

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Stephen Murdoch
Vice President, Public Relations
Twitter @CanadianPRGuy
289.241.3997
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