2023 Scott Medal and Award

Richard Hawke, the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Director of Ornamental Plant Research at the Chicago Botanic Garden, will receive the 2023 Scott Garden and Horticulture Medal and Award of $20,000. Members of the Scott Associates and invited guests are welcome to attend the award presentation and reception. Advance registration for this free event is required; walk-in registration is not available due to space limitations. Register and indicated all the names in your party by March 2. .

Registration Closed.

Richard has led the 30-year-old Plant Evaluation Program at the Chicago Botanic Garden, conducting 101 comparative trials between 1987 to 2019 with over 1,200 plant taxa under evaluation in peak years and 900 to 1,000 taxa evaluated annually. The program received the American Public Garden Association’s 2008 Award for Program Excellence. Over 150 articles written by Richard have been published to share the plant evaluation results. Richard received the Perennial Plant Association’s 2005 Academic Award for exceptional leadership in education to students, green industry members, and the gardening public. For this impressive body of horticultural work, he will receive the 69th Scott Medal and Award.

Richard Hawke – 2023 Award Recipient

“Over his career, Hawke has established himself as a stalwart champion of horticulture, always present, but quietly advocating for the improvement and distribution of knowledge for the industry. His humble personality and demeanor do not seek the lime light of horticulture fame, but his contribution to the industry certainly deserve it.” stated Phillip Douglas, Director of Horticulture and the Center for Global Initiatives.

Panayoti Kelaidis, 2000 Scott Medal recipient, described origin and impact of the Chicago trials. “Begun at the very apogee of the ‘Perennial Boom’, the Chicago trials have been so valuable to professionals and hobbyists alike, providing an even playing field for the tsunami of cultivars that swept over North American horticulture in a space of a few decades. I believe Richard’s efforts have been crucial in transforming the ‘boom’ into an integral part of our culture.”

The ambitious size of Richard’s enterprise, the devotion and consistency with which he has maintained these trails, and most importantly, his careful documentation and publication of their results have been a perennial dream come true for the rest for us!”

Steve Aitken, editor for Fine Gardening magazine, noted: “It is not possible to overstate the importance of the work Richard does. It is honest, thorough, and relevant. More important, its depth and breadth have changed the world of gardening for the better. Richard and his work are held in the highest regard by those with all levels of expertise and across the spectrum of the gardening industry. His unbiased approach should be a model for every researcher.”

Allan Armitage, 2007 Scott Medal recipient, commented “[Richard’s] evaluation work has been recognized by people in every aspect of horticulture, including garden writer, landscaper, breeder, designer, retailer, gardener, and academic. His work has been parsed, discussed and more importantly shared by all. The recognition of this work by such a diverse group speaks volumes as to its standing and usefulness. As a writer, I consult the plant evaluations when I am discussing genera and cultivars, and cite him throughout my books. I am a believer.”

“[Hawke] has generously shared this knowledge through Chicago Botanic Garden’s Plant Evaluation Notes which are available on the [Chicago Botanic] Garden’s website and articles in popular publications such as Chicagoland Gardening and Fine Gardening and professional publications such as Nursery Management. He has given lectures across the country to garden clubs and plant societies and is an instructor for the School of the Chicago Botanic Garden.” explained Kris Jarantoski, retired 2015 Scott Medal recipient and Director and Executive Vice President of Chicago Botanic Garden.

“It is rare to see someone who has dedicated their entire career to one unified pursuit. Richard has spent his entire career creating invaluable information on perennials, shrubs, and vines used by countless nurseryman, propagators, public garden professionals, educators, and writers throughout the United States and abroad. His life’s work supports the intention of the Scott Medal and Award.”  proclaims Andrew Bunting, Vice President of Horticulture at Pennsylvania Horticulture Society.