Richard Colburn Butler

Richard Colburn Butler

1983 Florens DeBevoise Medal

For his outstanding and continuing contribution in the fields of hybridizing, collecting and sharing.  His knowledge and enthusiasm have been a never ending source of encouragement and help to gardeners.


The Florens DeBevoise Medal is awarded for outstanding achievement in horticulture and/or education in horticulture.

The Florens DeBevoise Medal was presented by Sasqua Garden Club, Zone II, in memory of Florens Hutchins Lewis DeBevoise (Mrs. Charles DeBevoise: 1886–1951), a charter member of the club. Florens, cofounder of the American Rock Garden Society, was a botanist and authority on landscaping with alpine plants. Rock garden historian Marnie Flook notes, “She conducted extensive experiments with their propagation at her renowned Cronamere Alpine Nurseries prior to closing in 1941. Many rare herbaceous plants and shrubs imported by the US Agricultural Station were sent to her to determine correct cultivation and hardiness in the East. She also developed methods for dwarfing various types of plants, which she exhibited in miniature gardens.” In 2021, the GCA Executive Board adapted the current award description to encourage a broader application. The award was originally intended "for horticultural achievement in the fields of hybridizing, collecting, or nurturing, with a preference to plant material suitable for rock gardens." The medal was designed in 1954 by Mary Taylor Bryan (Mrs. Alden Bryan).

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