American Horticultural Society announces winners of 2025 Great American Gardeners Awards

The American Horticultural Society has announced the seven recipients of the 2025 Great American Gardeners Awards.

Since 1953, the American Horticultural Society has recognized outstanding individuals and organizations that have excelled in various horticultural fields, such as plant research, garden stewardship, horticultural outreach and education.

The 2025 Great American Gardeners Awards recipients are:

Liberty Hyde Bailey Award: Brian Kemble, curator of The Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery (Walnut Creek, California)

Given to an individual who has made significant lifetime contributions to at least three of the following horticultural fields: teaching, research, communications, plant exploration, administration, art, business and leadership.

Brian Kemble has dedicated nearly half a century to making an incredible mark on the field of horticulture. He is the curator at The Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery, a botanical garden in Walnut Creek, California, specializing in plants from arid climates. Over the years, he studied the founder’s design principles, expanded her collection, created new hybrids and helped transition the garden to a nonprofit.

Beyond his work at the garden, Kemble has led impactful and hands-on research on succulents, as well as efforts to make the plants more accessible. Kemble excels not only as a horticulturist and leader, but also as a researcher, plant explorer, communicator, teacher and mentor.

Emerging Horticultural Professional Award: Amanda Bratcher, horticulture agent of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension (Lee County, North Carolina)

Given in the early stages of an individual’s career, this award recognizes significant achievements and/or leadership that have advanced the field of horticulture in America.

Amanda Bratcher is the horticulture agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Lee County, where she leads programs for all ages, cultivates relationships across government agencies and makes site and farm visits to ensure that local growers receive support. Her work has increased awareness and appreciation for the value of horticultural support from state university extension systems.

Jane L. Taylor Award: Amy Padolf, director of education of the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (Coral Gables, Florida)

Given to an individual, organization or program that has inspired and nurtured future horticulturists through efforts in children’s and youth gardening.

Amy Padolf is the director of education at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Florida, where she oversees multidisciplinary plant science education programs for pre-kindergarten through postgraduate studies, teacher professional development, adult education and community gardening. For nearly three decades, Padolf has been a driving force behind the creation of pioneering science education programs.

Garden Stewardship Award: Betty Ford Alpine Gardens (Vail, Colorado)

Given to a public garden that embraces and exemplifies sustainable horticultural practices in design, maintenance and/or programs.

With a mission to protect the alpine environment through education, conservation and living plants collections, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail, Colorado, features an education center, the Alpine House (a cold greenhouse) and research and conservation programs. It's a showcase for using native plants in the landscape and for educating about the different ecosystems of the Rocky Mountains.

Landscape Design Award: Lauren Springer, planting designer and horticulturist (Fort Collins, Colorado)

Given to an individual whose work has demonstrated and promoted the value of sustainable horticultural practices in the field of landscape architecture.

For more than four decades, Lauren Springer has created plant-driven, site-specific design. Starting with her book "The Undaunted Garden" and continuing through her current work with The Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins, Colorado, she has impacted the composition of gardens across the western U.S.

B.Y. Morrison Communication Award: Stephanie Cohen, author and speaker (Collegeville, Pennsylvania)

Recognizes effective and inspirational communication — through print, radio, television and/or online media — that advances public interest and participation in horticulture.

Stephanie Cohen has dedicated more than 30 years to horticultural communication. As the founding director of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University in Pennsylvania and the author of several articles and books, including "The Perennial Gardener’s Design Primer," Cohen’s writings and lectures draw on her experience trialing plants for different nurseries and growers. Her lively, informative approach makes horticulture accessible and exciting for all levels.

Frances Jones Poetker Award: Amy Merrick, floral designer, stylist, writer and teacher (New Hampshire/New York)

Recognizes significant contributions to floral design in publications, on the platform and to the public.

Amy Merrick is a floral designer, stylist, writer and teacher. Her experience as a floral installation artist, studio owner, arranger, forager and farmer informed her book "On Flowers: Lessons from an Accidental Florist."

The AHS’ 2025 Great American Gardeners Award Committee was chaired by Holly Shimizu, AHS board member and former director of the United States Botanic Garden.

Members of the 2025 awards committee include Diane Blazek, executive director, All-America Selections/National Garden Bureau; Lee Coykendall, former senior education specialist at the US Botanic Garden; Kate Delaney, director of career development, Society of American Florists; Panayoti Kelaidis, AHS board member and senior curator/director of outreach at Denver Botanic Gardens; David Kopsell, professor of horticulture at Illinois State University; and Kelly D. Norris, author, plantsman and landscape designer.