Announcing Dr. Allan Armitage as a 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award Winner

2024 Macdonald Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Dr. Allan Armitage | McGill University

McGill University recently announced new additions to its list of 2024 Macdonald Distinguished Alumni Award recipients. This award was created by the Macdonald Branch of the McGill Alumni Association to “recognize distinguished graduates for their outstanding professional contributions, scholarly distinction, and/or service to the community at large,” with the first iteration of the awards presented in 2006. For the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Awards, Greenhouse Grower contributor Dr. Allan Armitage was announced as a winner. Here’s what the organization had to say in regard to Dr. A’s selection as an award winner:

“Dr. Allan Armitage is a leader in ornamental horticulture, having garnered numerous awards throughout his distinguished career. His journey began at Macdonald College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Botany. He then worked at Aylmer/Del Monte Food Company in Quality Control and Product Development. However, his talent for communication led him to return to Macdonald College to earn a teaching certificate, after which he spent seven impactful years as a high school teacher at Beaconsfield High School in Quebec.

Eager to deepen his knowledge and contribute to plant science, Dr. Armitage pursued a Master of Science in Horticultural Science at the University of Guelph and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University. His academic career blossomed at the University of Georgia, where he served for 35 years, receiving numerous accolades for his ground-breaking research, engaging teaching, and significant service to the horticultural industry.

Dr. Armitage has authored 17 books, many used as key texts in horticulture programs, and published more than 70 peer-reviewed papers alongside more than 500 industry articles. His expertise has taken him to lecture across Europe, New Zealand, Australia, China, and North America, making him a global figure in horticultural education.

Beyond academia, he founded the National Association of Specialty Cut Flowers and established the renowned Trial Gardens at the University of Georgia, benefiting ornamental plant breeders worldwide. He has also bred numerous popular ornamental plant cultivars and continues to consult with leading nurseries and greenhouses.

In addition, he launched Garden Vistas, a travel company that organized tours of the world’s most beautiful gardens, and developed Armitage’s Great Garden Plants, a widely-used app for plant enthusiasts.

His two daughters reside in Georgia and his son resides in Oakville, Ontario. Dr. Armitage and his wife Susan live in Athens, GA, and make regular visits to friends and family in Canada.”

The original statement on Dr. A and those celebrating additional recipients of the Macdonald Distinguished Alumni Award, dating back to the inaugural event in 2006, can be viewed here.