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Address:
125 Arborway
Boston, MA 02130

Biography

John Herbert Alexander III

I served as the plant propagator at the Arnold Arboretum between 1976 and 2016. I earned my undergraduate degree from Harvard University Extension School and I am a third generation nurseryman. At the age of 6, I began helping my grandparents make cuttings, and continued to help at their nursery during many summers and school vacations.

Lilacs are a passion of mine. I’m an active member of the International Lilac Society and have served numerous terms on their Board of Directors. Currently I am the Lilac Society’s New England Regional Vice President. Syringa × chinensis ‘Lilac Sunday’ and Syringa ‘Purple Haze’ are two of my cultivar selections.

The Eastern Region of the International Plant Propagator’s Society is an organization of plant propagators representing various horticultural and botanical gardens, nurseries, and academic institutions. They honored me in 1995 by making me a Fellow, and again in 2004 by awarding me their prestigious Award of Merit. Such recognition by my peers is truly an honor. If you have an interest in plant propagation, consider joining IPPS. Members are serious about the IPPS motto—to seek and to share the art and science of plant production—and are quite willing to aid and assist fellow members. Students and serious amateurs are welcome.

When I’m not growing plants, I may be spending time with my Siberian huskies. We walk every day and may skijour when there’s snow. One of my sons and daughter-in-law raise Siberian huskies, and sometimes they let me race their 3rd string team. What a joy to glide over the snow with few sounds other than the shhhhhhh… of the sled on the snow and my panting (the musher works too as part of the team).

During a rebellious period of my life, I considered a career in engineering. In addition to plants and dogs, I have a fondness for old machines, especially manually-operated farm equipment such as the corn sheller, the cheese press, and household equipment like early washing machines. You may also find me operating somewhat more modern machinery like my vintage Norton motorcycle or my classic Cessna Skyhawk.