Dr. Frank Skinner
Sargeant at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. Sargeant had studied the flora of eastern Asia and had travelled to Japan. He provided some of these Asian plants for Skinner to test in the prairie climate. One, a Manchurian pear, still grows on the site. Sargeant kindled Skinner's interest in Asian plants, Amur
maple, Amur mountain ash and Amur cherry that abound- ed in the trails of the arboretum. These originate near the Amur River, which forms part of the border between Siberia and Manchuria. Among other Asian plants are Manchurian linden, Siberian crab apple, Japanese tree lilac and Dahurian larch. Frank Skinner’s experiments in crossing the Korean lilac, Syringa oblatata var. dilitata, with French hybrid lilacs led to the development of the American hybrid lilacs. Skinner soon began experimenting with the breeding of
a wide range of plants. His work with roses, lilacs and lilies was particularly significant in the development of more hardy races of these important garden plants. His American hybrid lilacs have become a standard by which new lilac cultivars are measured. His experiments with lilies rank as key pioneer breeding work in the development of the Asiatic lily hybrids. His ideas with regard to the incorporation of hardy species into rose breeding programs led not only to a number of notewor- thy varieties but also contributed to the development of many of the favourite rose cultivars of today. In 1925, Frank Skinner began to offer his plants for sale in
a nursery that is still in operation. By 1940 his catalogue listed over 600 varieties of trees, shrubs and perennial flowers. Some of these varieties are extinct or are no longer available to prai- rie gardeners, but several are still grown. Today, the historical garden varieties still offered from the 1940s include yellow-
localgardener.net
'Dropmore Scarlet' honeysuckle, now a standard worldwide.
Skinner's 'Dropmore Hybrid'.
'Isabella Skinner' rose.
flag iris, peachleaf bellflower, evergreen candytuft, 'Dropmore Hybrid' nepeta, and variegated Kamschatica sedum. There are also many more recent varieties for sale. In 1994, the Frank Skinner Arboretum Corporation was
formed to assist in maintaining the plant collection and in making it more accessible to visitors. Volunteers have helped with the development of walking trails to lead visitors through the collection. They have developed amenities such as a picnic site for visitors and have begun to redevelop garden sites with historical plant varieties as well as those which are new and exciting for gardeners. Educational programs for school children have been a hit
with local schools. Teachers use the arboretum to enrich school programs in biology, art, writing, and local history. Several horticultural societies come for guided tours.
Fall 2016 • 19
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