Sights along the trail: 'Maiden's Blush' lilacs (left), Digitalis 'Dropmore Yellow' and 'Andre Chaudron' dragonhead (centre) and yellow lady's slipper (right) For those who want to learn about trees, the arboretum
corporation has taken to labelling trees, shrubs, roses and perennials in the arboretum. A guide map is available for those who wish to take a self-guided tour. The corporation also invites participation by its membership and by garden enthusi- asts from across Canada and beyond. Over the years, many gardeners and horticultuists have
made pilgrimages to the Skinner property to marvel at the trees, shrubs and perennial flowers, obtain new and interesting plants, or just learn from the extensive collection. Represent- ed here are many of Manitoba’s largest examples of a number of species, including Swiss stone pine, Japanese tree lilac and
A giant in the plant world
Rocky Mountain Douglas fir. These were recognized in Heritage Trees of Manitoba, compiled by Martin Benham and Vern Hildahl. Visitors from across Canada, from the United States and
from all continents have signed the guest book at the arbo- retum. Comments range from, “Lots of cute frogs” to “a serene place” and “What a unique forest Frank Skinner made.” There is a sense of mighty and satisfying labour here. Walking along the trails is a unique experience in appreciat- ing nature, wondering at the magnificent trees and reflecting on the historical context of Frank Skinner’s work. A picnic lunch is a great way to prolong the enjoyment of this serene and beautiful setting. Photographers will find interesting subjects in the garden and in the wildlife and wildflowers along the trail, including the shy lady’s slipper, wood violets and wild columbine. A replanting of perennial garden areas began in 1997, with
assistance from the Saskatchewan Perennial Society. The emphasis was to restore varieties that have been grown in the nursery over the past 75 years. A rose garden was also devel- oped, with over 70 cultivars of roses developed in Canada. These hardy roses survive the prairie climate and are at peak bloom in July; they are fading but still blooming until hard frost in the fall. Among the cultivars developed by Frank Skinner are 'Mrs.
Frank Skinner and two of his lily varieties: Lilium 'Lemon Lady' and 'Dieppe'. (Photo by Bruce Moss)
B
y any definition, Frank Skinner was a giant among horticulturists in North America, as well as a pioneer in plant breeding of hardy plant species.
A century after he began his work, leading Manitoba horticulturalist and plant breeder Wilbert Ronald said Frank Skinner’s plants “continue to be grown widely and continue to make a tremendous contribution to the prai- rie, North American and European gardens. “Numerous plants introduced by Skinner are still grown
by nurserymen. Plant breeders go back to his introduc- tions and extensive collections to breed new plants. Skin- ner was a beacon to younger horticulturists to set goals to improve many new plants for prairie gardeners.” Dr. Campbell Davidson, a manager of Morden Research
Centre when it was open, said Skinner had a “tremendous number of accomplishments”, including the development of plant species. He was a great botanist and observer of plants, Dr. Davidson added, with a great capacity for find- ing useful variations leading to new plant breeds.
20 • Fall 2016
John McNab', 'Will Alderman', 'Betty Bland' and 'Isabella Skinner'. There are also roses developed by Skinner’s contem- poraries: Percy Wright, Georges Bugnet, Will Godfrey, Robert Simonet and Robert Erskine. Of particular interest is a variety which was returned from the Montreal Botanical Garden after 25 years under the name 'Skinner’s Red'. You will also see roses in the Parkland Series from the Morden Research Station of Agriculture and Agrifood Canada, as well as plants from the Explorer series which was initiated at the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa. In July 2005, the Historic sites and Monuments Board
of Canada unveiled a plaque to commemorate the work of Frank Leith Skinner at the Frank Skinner Arboretum Trail at Dropmore. If gardening is in your blood, if you want to learn more
about plants which will grow on the prairies, if you enjoy the serenity of a beautiful natural setting, walk into Frank Skinner’s dream. The nursery and arboretum are located 32 kilometres north of Russel on Highway 83 and one kilome- tre east. x
The Frank Skinner Arboretum Corporation is a not-for-profit body dedicated to the preservation of Frank Skinner’s work. Membership in the corporation is open to interested gardeners. For more information, please contact the corporation at Box 1221, Roblin, MB. R0L 1P0, phone 1.866.552.5496 or visit
skinnerarboretum.com.
localgardener.net
Photo by Hugh Skinner.
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