Harold Pellett dies

Harold Pellett, professor emeritus of the University of Minnesota, passed away on July 22. He was 76.

Pellett had a long and successful career in horticulture, including more than 30 years as a professor at the University of Minnesota and a leader in research at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and Horticulture Research Center. In 1990 he founded the Landscape Plant Development Center with a mission of developing superior cold-hardy landscape plants.

Pellett was one of the most recognized woody plant experts throughout the U.S. and Canada. His work was known to nurserymen, gardeners, landscape professionals, botanical gardens, arboreta, and university horticulturists. His research and publication on plant winter hardiness and effect of growing conditions on plant performance are widely appreciated.

Pellett is best known for his introduction of 25 tree and shrub varieties resulting from his breeding program. He spent the last 20 years of his professional life organizing and managing the Landscape Plant Development Center with cooperators in many states and Canada, coordinating plant breeding programs at the Center and in other states. He won dozens of professional awards from state nursery associations, botanic gardens, arboreta, professional organizations, and gardening associations.

Source: Norman Pellett, Charlotte, Vt.