By Melanie Penner

The Morden Civic Centre will soon be home to a bronze bust of Dr. Henry Marshall. You may be wondering who was Henry Marshall and why is he an important part of Morden’s horticultural heritage?

 Dr. Henry H. Marshall spent his career working in the field of horticulture. His major accomplishments as a plant breeder have helped make Henry Marshall’s name well-known throughout Canada and abroad.

It was at the Agriculture Canada Research in Morden where Marshall developed and released to the nursery and seed trades some 35 new varieties of vegetables and ornamentals between 1952 and 1977.

His most familiar contributions are the Parkland series of roses, which today consists of 13 varieties.

He received numerous awards for his accomplishments including the Linnaeous Medal of Honor in Toronto in 1978. He also received recognition specifically for his rose breeding work and was honored many times for his outstanding achievements and well-known work in developing hardy plant material for the prairie climate.

It was this strategy that led to some dramatic advances in plant breeding. Over forty introductions in several genera, many of which continue to be widely grown today, attest to the impact of Marshall’s work.  The first generation cross, Assiniboine, was a stepping stone to the later improved cultivars such as; Cuthbert Grant, Adelaide Hoodless, Morden Cardinette and Morden Centennial. Particularly in roses, the Parkland series has been the singe most important advance in quality and hardiness for the prairie region. Four of Marshall’s cultivars outsell all other roses combined and have received the Award of Merit.

As a self-taught scientist, his life was highlighted in 1974 when the University of Brandon bestowed on him an honorary Doctor of Science degree.

He made a botanical study of the flora of the Pembina Hills and was a contributor in other fields as well. He served in the Brandon and Morden United Church, and other community organizations including the Morden and District Museum.