Armitage's World of Horticulture

Allan M. Armitage

About Dr. Armitage

       Dr. Armitage is well known as a writer, speaker and researcher throughout the world.  He has evaluated garden plants in Montreal, Canada; East Lansing, Michigan and Athens, Georgia, gaining an appreciation of plant development in the North and South.  He holds his B.Sc from MacDonald College, Quebec, M.Sc. from University of Guelph, Ontario and his Ph.D. from Michigan State University.

       At the University of Georgia, he runs the research gardens where new plant material from most of the flower breeders in the world is evaluated.  The Trial Gardens at UGA are among the finest trial gardens in the nation.  They are open to the public throughout the year.

       As a teacher and speaker, Dr. Armitage has lectured in Canada,  the United States, 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. He teaches courses in Greenhouse Production, Greenhouse Crop Management and Herbaceous Plant Identification and Use.  He is a highly engaging teacher and his courses fill rapidly.  He has received numerous teaching awards.  He was seen on Smart Gardening TV, on which he talked about both commercial and garden issues.  He also serves as a guest correspondent for the popular Victory Garden television series. Both shows appeared on public television channels around the country. 

 

 

 

        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 prestigious Brooks Award for Teaching in 2006. 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 Grower Magazine, 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.  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. 

New Crop Research


His long-standing interest in New Crops for the garden, greenhouse and landscape has taken him to gardens all over the world and has resulted in numerous introductions to the ornamental industry. 

A few introductions to the industry from Allan Armitage:

  • Verbena 'Homestead Purple'  (introduced with Dr. Michael Dirr)
  • Ipomoea ‘Margarita’
  • the Sunlover Series of Coleus
  • Cleome 'Linde Armstrong'
  • Turnera 'El Dorado'
  • Ruellia 'Ragin Cajin'
  • Tibouchina 'Athens Blue'
  • Plectranthus ‘Athens Gem’
  • Dicentra 'Athens Yellow'
  • Aruncus 'Misty Lace' (introduced with Dr. Hazel Wetzstein)
  • Pennisetum 'Prince' and 'Princess' (with Dr. Wayne Hannah)
  • Gaillardia 'Georgia Yellow' (with Dr David Knauft)

       Armitage's work with heat- and humidity-tolerant crops resulted  in the national marketing program called Athens Select.  Approximately 30 plants have been introduced under the “Athens Select” label, including Pennisetum 'Princess', Iochroma 'Purple Queen , Ruellia ‘Ragin Cajin’ and Begonia 'Bonita Shea'

 

   


  


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New Introductions



Aruncus 'Misty Lace'


 

 Ipomoea 'Margarita'

 

Verbena 'Homestead Purple' 

 

Coleus 'Red Ruffles'

  


Coleus 'Rustic Orange'



Ruellia 'Ragin Cagin'

 


Pennisetum 'Prince'



 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

Allan M. Armitage