How are plants awarded the Gold Medal?

Plants nominated for the award are not necessarily new to the landscaping and nursery trade, but each one must exhibit outstanding horticultural and aesthetic appeal that warrants Gold Medal Award distinction. Although the plants under consideration may be uncommon, each contender must currently be in a propagation program which insures availability to the home gardener.

During the course of a year, a distinguished committee of knowledgeable horticulturists thoroughly evaluates plants before determining the Gold Medal Plant Awards. With gratitude, we recognize the members of the Gold Medal Plant Award Committee for their commitment to bringing plants of merit to gardeners:

Gold Medal Plant Award Committee
Charles Zafonte, chair (Morris County Park Commission)
Darrel Apps (Woodside Nursery)
Richard L. Bitner (representing the home gardener)
Tom Dilatush (Dilatush Nurseries, retired)
Sheila Gmeiner (Clinton Nurseries)
Joseph Gray (Hines Nursery)
Richard Hesselein (Pleasant Run Nursery)
Steve Hutton (The Conard-Pyle Company)
Rhoda Maurer (Scott Arboretum)
Paul Meyer (Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania)
Steve Mostardi (Mostardi Nursery)
Philip Normandy (Brookside Gardens)
Larry Shehan, PCH (Hines Nurseries)
Bill Thomas (Chanticleer Gardens)
Barry Yinger (Asiatica Nursery)

Ex officio
Jane G. Pepper
President, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

Staff Director
Kathleen A. Mills

Gold Medal Plant Award Manager
Joe Ziccardi, Jr., PCH