NC State University alumnus Tony Avent, prolific horticulturist and plant conservationist, was honored with the Royal Horticultural Society’s prestigious Veitch Memorial Medal. Avent is the first native North Carolinian to receive the medal, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the science and practice of horticulture.
“The Veitch Memorial Medal is the who’s who of horticulture at the very highest level,” said Mark Weathington, Director of the JC Raulston Arboretum. “Tony’s contributions to horticulture and his unwavering support for plant conservation align perfectly with our mission, and we are thrilled for him.”
Avent trained under NC State horticulturist J. C. Raulston before founding Plant Delights Nursery and Juniper Level Botanic Garden (JLBG). With breeding efforts that date back to 1984, Avent, his staff, interns and collaborators have an unparalleled plant database of genetic trials, materials and records of taxonomy and adaptability. To date JLBG has conducted 66,000 plant trials in its gardens and introduced more than 1,440 new plant species, varieties and hybrids.
Among the genetic materials cataloged by JLGB are germplasms for popular plant groups including Agave, xMangave, Yucca, Baptisia, Aspidistra, Polygonatum, Arum, Epimedium, and ferns and geophytes.
“Tony’s pioneering work in plant selection, breeding and adaptation — particularly in Baptisia — has transformed American horticulture,” the Royal Horticultural Society said in a release about the award. “His advocacy for plant diversity and sustainable cultivation, combined with his ability to engage and inspire others, has earned him respect and admiration within the international horticultural community.”
Tony and Anita Avent have created a meaningful gift to leave JLBG to NC State’s JC Raulston Arboretum. NC State’s goal is to raise $20 million for an endowment that will generate operational funds to maintain the 28-acre research garden and its massive plant data collection, supporting vital plant conservation, research, breeding and education in perpetuity.
That will allow JLBG and the JC Raulston Arboretum to become sister teaching gardens, hosting a combined collection that includes over 27,000 taxa of herbaceous and woody plants — tripling NC State’s current collection.
“The only way to study plants is to grow them, communicate with other experts and share ideas about how to help them thrive,” Avent said.
Preserve Plant Genetic Diversity
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