Dr. Allan Armitage
If there were but one banner that best describes gardeners in general, it would be: “Wait until Next Year!” Gardeners are an optimistic lot.
- Emeritus Professor of Horticulture at the University of Georgia (retired 2014).
- Well known as a writer, speaker and researcher throughout the world.
- Written over 70 academic papers, 500 industry papers.
- Written 17 books that serve as classroom texts, reference books and gardeners’ companions. His reference book, “Herbaceous Perennial Plants,” was recognized as one of the best 75 books in the last 75 years when the honor was bestowed. In early 2020, it appeared in its 4th edition. One of his most recent books, “It’s Not Just About the Hat,” describes his journey from a boy in Canada to an internationally known horticulturist.
- Teaches two online courses (“for the world”) on Perennials.
- Has written an App for smartphones and tablets, “Armitage’s Great Garden Plants,” that serves as a bridge between industry and consumer. It has been referenced over 100,000 times.
- He continues to write a monthly column for a national greenhouse publication, “Greenhouse Grower”. He has been doing so for over 40 years; no column has been repeated.
- Consults with successful companies on selection and marketing of herbaceous plants and horticultural products.
- Holds academic degrees from McGill University, Canada, University of Guelph, Canada and Michigan State University, USA.
- His company, Garden Vistas, organized tours to the Great Gardens of the World every year for over 30 years.
- His photos have been published widely in books, and sold online for use on labels, benchtags or books.
- Introduced over 20 plants to the gardening community, including Verbena “Homestead Purple’ and ‘Margarita’ ornamental sweet potato.
- He conducted research in New Crop Introduction and Evaluation, and Environmental Physiology.
- Developed and maintained The Trial Gardens at University of Georgia until his retirement. The well-known and respected gardens served as a venue for heat and humidity performance for new plants from breeders for the plant breeding plant industry. They continue to be an important trialing resource for the horticulture industry.
- He continues to be an invited lecturer in the United States and around the world. He has been invited to share his knowledge in Canada, the United States, Portugal, Colombia, New Zealand, Australia and Europe, and is in constant demand. He has visited research and production centers throughout the world and studies annuals, perennials, cut flowers and greenhouse crops in various climates.
- His three books, “It's Not Just About the Hat” (2015), “Of Naked Ladies and Forget-Me-Nots”(2017), and “Herbaceous Perennial Plants”, 4th ed (2020), have been unanimously praised and have become best sellers in the Horticulture market.
- Another recent book, Tales of Big Jon and Other Creatures, was published in November, 2021.
- The latest book, A Field Guide to Specialty Cut Flowers, appeared in March, 2024 and is presently in its 4th printing.
- He has garnered many awards for teaching, writing research.
Dr. Allan M. Armitage has been honored with almost every award bestowed:
His awards include The Kiplinger Chair at The Ohio State University, the Alex Laurie Award for outstanding research in horticulture, Outstanding Teacher Award from the Professional Greenhouse Growers of Georgia, the Futura Award for outstanding teaching and research from the Professional Plant Growers Association, the Golden Trowel Award for his book Allan Armitage on Perennials from the Garden Writers of America, the Education Media Award for his book Specialty Cut Flowers from the Professional Plant Growers Association, Teacher of the Year from the Georgia Green Industry Association and the Gold Medal from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society for Exceptional Service in American Horticulture.
He was recognized as one of the best teachers in the nation when he received the distinguished National Educator Award from the American Horticultural Society and The Medal of Honor, the highest award possible from the Garden Club of America. He also was recognized as one of the top educators at The University of Georgia when he received the College of Agriculture and Environmental Science's prestigious Brooks Award for Teaching in 2006. In 2010, he was presented with the Josiah Meigs Award, the highest possible teaching honor from the University of Georgia.
He was presented with the Horticulture Initiative Award, presented by the Southeast Greenhouse Growers Association, due to his direct enhancement of the economic well-being of the horticultural industry and was presented with the Award of Excellence, the highest honor given by the National Council of State Garden Clubs. In 2000, he received the highest award possible from the Perennial Plant Association, the Award of Merit, in recognition of outstanding contributions to the perennial industry. Also, in 2000, he was the first recipient of the Medal of Excellence from Greenhouse GrowerMagazine, awarded to the individual most responsible for leadership in the new crop development.
A special award, The Allan Armitage Leadership Award, was established by the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers to be awarded to the individual who exemplifies outstanding leadership in the specialty cut flower industry. In January, 2001, Dr. Armitage was the only living person chosen among the top 10 “Spheres of Influence” in the floriculture business by his colleagues. In 2001, he was presented with the University of Georgia Alumni Award, a prestigious award based on excellence in teaching, research and extension.
He was honored with the celebrated Scott Medal and Award for contributions to American horticulture by the Scott Foundation in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, arguably the most prestigious honor in ornamental horticulture. He received the Garden Writers Association Award for Magazine Writing in 2007. In 2008, the Newport, Rhode Island Flower Show presented him with the International Horticulture Award for lifetime contributions in the field. In 2009, he was presented with the George Robert White Medal of Honor from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society.
In 2012, he was honored with the highest award from the American Horticulture Society – the Liberty Hyde Bailey Award – for lifelong achievements in horticulture. He also served as an advisor for the Garden Book Club of America and has consulted for Scholastic Books, publisher of the Magic School Bus series of science books for children.
His books have received awards of every kind, including the Golden Trowel awards from the Garden Writers of America. His most acclaimed book, Herbaceous Perennial Plants, a treatise on their identification, culture and garden attributes was honored as one of the best seventy books in the past seventy-five years by the American Horticultural Society in 2000. The fourth edition was published in summer of 2020
In 2014, he was presented with the Hutchinson Medal of the Chicago Botanical Garden and the Medallion of Honor from the All America Society, both huge prestigious awards.
In 2015, he was awarded the American Dahlia Society’s Silver Medallion for contributions to the American Dahlia Society.
In 2020, Dr. A. was presented with the Slater Wight award from the Southern Nursery Association. This lifetime achievement award is their highest honor to an individual.
In 2024, he was named Alumni of the Year from McGill University in Montreal Canada, an extremely prestigious award from a very prestigious school.
Wait, wait, there’s more!
In 2018, he was an important contributor to the team that won the USTA National Tennis Title for age and skill level. That year he and his team were first in the nation; in 2019, his team was third in the nation. In 2024, he and his partner won the gold medal in the Georgia Senior Olympics. He still believes he can take down Roger Federer, but unfortunately Roger retired.