RHS Award for Harold Koopowitz (and Kathy Andersen)

Lee Poulsen wpoulsen@pacbell.net
Tue, 29 Mar 2011 18:03:02 PDT
And on top of all their awards and work in the field of geophytes, Harold and Kathy are really really nice people. 

Even though I'm a nobody and just grow bulbs as an enthusiast, both Harold and Kathy took the time to get to know me, ask me how I and my family and my bulbs are doing anytime we happen to see each other, and in Harold's case (because he also lives here in Southern California), have told me incredible plant stories, invited me to his house, shared with me some very rare or unusual bulbs, etc. 

But so far, like Mary Sue and others have described from their travels, it seems like every single bulb person I've met in person is really nice when you get to meet them and talk with them. In the past 16 months work has sent me down to South America multiple times, and with just a little bit of extra effort, I was able to meet Alberto, as well as Mariano Saviello of Argentina, Osmani Baullosa of Chile, and Mauro Peixoto of Brazil (along with Harri Lorenzi, not in PBS), and they were all treasures. I know there are bad apples even amongst plant people. But the vast majority seem to be really cool people.

Kudos to Harold and Kathy!

--Lee Poulsen
Pasadena, California, USA - USDA Zone 10a


On Mar 29, 2011, at 4:59 PM, Alberto Castillo wrote:

> 
> Harold has not received the recognition he truly deserves as a conservationist and researcher. As a Director of the UC irvine Arboretum he was in charge of an immense bulb collection from most regions of the world he worked hard in maintaining and preserving. The purpose of such research collection was the conservation of hundreds (thousands?) of species. In particular the South African collection was really huge.
> 
> Sadly, that fantastic project had to be discontinued due to budget problems but his foresight at that time is still to be properly known by the wide gardening public.
> 
> That this extraordinary character and scientist is receiving an award for a hybrid narcissus sounds almost a joke.
> 
>> 
>> 
>> Thank you, John. I am pleased that Harold and Kathy have received yet more recognition for their work. They are great bulb people! 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Best wishes, 
>> 
>> Dell 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "John Grimshaw" <j.grimshaw@virgin.net> 
>> 
>> I thought people might like to know that PBS member Harold Koopowitz was 
>> presented with the Ralph B White Memorial Medal this afternoon at the Royal 
>> Horticultural Society's show in London. The presentation was made by RHS 
>> President, Elizabeth Banks, and was for raising a miniature split-corona 
>> daffodil called 'Itsy Bitsy Splitsy'. Not my cup of tea, but it was great to 
>> see Harold's work with daffodils being recognized. 
>> 
>> Also receiving an award, in her case the Peter Barr Memorial Cup for 
>> meritorious work with daffodils, was Kathryn Andersen from Pennsylvania - 
>> Kathy is also well-known as a lily and Clivia enthusiast, and is quite 
>> indomitable in pursuit of plants. 
>> 


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