May 17, 2018

Sunny Border Nurseries CEO to Receive AHS Award

The American Horticultural Society (AHS) has selected Pierre Bennerup, CEO of Sunny Border Nurseries.  to receive the 2018 Liberty Hyde Bailey Award. This prestigious award is given each year to an individual who has made significant lifetime contributions to the field of horticulture.

Bennerup has had a key role in advancing the perennial industry, since he purchased his family nursery almost 50 years ago. From his earliest days in the business, Bennerup is credited with developing the process of container-grown, finished plant production.

Throughout the years, he has continuously worked to promote new and existing perennials, herbs and tropical perennials.

Bennerups credits include being a founding member of the Perennial Plant Association (PPA), in 1983. He served as the PPA President from 1986-1988 and received the PPA Award of Merit in 1998. He was also founder and first president of the CT Chapter of the Hardy Plant Society as well as past president of the Connecticut Horticultural Society.

An accomplished plantsman, Bennerup has introduced more than 50 plant varieties to the marketplace during his career.

The Liberty Hyde Bailey Award will be presented to Pierre and other American Gardeners Awards recipients during a ceremony on June 21, 2018, at the American Horticultural Society’s headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.

Bennerup’s accomplishments are also being recognized in a new book by Barbara Paul Robinson, Heroes of Horticulture, Americans Who Transformed the Landscape, published  by David R. Godine, Publisher.

For more information on the AHS and these prestigious awards, visit www.ahsgardening.org. For additional information on Sunny Border Nurseris, please  visit www.sunnyborder.com.