Leon C. Snyder
Encyclopedia
Dr. Leon C. Snyder was one of the founders of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
as well as a professor, writer, and radio personality. Through his work, research, broadcasts, and books he changed the way Minnesotans viewed the possibilities of gardening in a northern climate.
, U.S. He received both his B.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Washington
. He taught botany for a while at South Dakota State College where he met a minister's daughter Vera Ferch, who would become his wife in 1934. In 1945 the couple moved to Minnesota. He began his career at the University of Minnesota
as an extension horticulturalist, by 1953 he was promoted to head of the Department.
beginning in 1966. As well once a month he appeared on the Boone & Erickson Show on WCCO (AM) to answer garden-related questions. He led 18 gardener's tours and traveled the globe, often accompanied by his wife, including Australia
and Europe. He raised four children: Ann, Leon Jr., Mary, and Erva. He had twelve grandchildren: James, Thomas, Jill, Marc, Steve, Michael, James Jr., Jeff, Michael, Andre', Karsten, and Jeremy. On his death in 1987, Jane McKinnon wrote this about Dr. Snyder:
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a horticultural garden and arboretum located about west of Chanhassen, Minnesota at 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, Minnesota...
as well as a professor, writer, and radio personality. Through his work, research, broadcasts, and books he changed the way Minnesotans viewed the possibilities of gardening in a northern climate.
Early life
In 1908 Leon C. Snyder was born in Shepherd, MichiganShepherd, Michigan
Shepherd is a village in Isabella County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,536 at the 2000 census. The village is within Coe Township.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all land....
, U.S. He received both his B.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
. He taught botany for a while at South Dakota State College where he met a minister's daughter Vera Ferch, who would become his wife in 1934. In 1945 the couple moved to Minnesota. He began his career at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
as an extension horticulturalist, by 1953 he was promoted to head of the Department.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
In 1956 the Men's Garden Club of Minneapolis met with the Minnesota State Horticultural Society with the desire to create an arboretum. In 1958 after raising monies from local garden clubs a 160 acre (0.6474976 km²) of land was purchased for the arboretum in the Twin Cities' suburbs; the arboretum was opened in the same year, and Dr. Snyder was its director from its opening until 1976. During his time as director Dr. Snyder helped expand every aspect of the arboretum, from its size, eventually to 630 acres (2.5 km²) to its research capabilities and its facilities for visitors. The Leon C. Snyder Education and Resource Building, dedicated in 1974, contains both the Anderson Horticultural Library and the Meyer-Deats Conservatory.Other work
By the time Dr. Snyder stepped down as the head of the horticulture department in 1970 (to devote himself full time to the arboretum) it had doubled in faculty. Dr. Snyder wrote a weekly column for the Minneapolis Star TribuneStar Tribune
The Star Tribune is the largest newspaper in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is published seven days each week in an edition for the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. A statewide version is also available across Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota. The...
beginning in 1966. As well once a month he appeared on the Boone & Erickson Show on WCCO (AM) to answer garden-related questions. He led 18 gardener's tours and traveled the globe, often accompanied by his wife, including Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and Europe. He raised four children: Ann, Leon Jr., Mary, and Erva. He had twelve grandchildren: James, Thomas, Jill, Marc, Steve, Michael, James Jr., Jeff, Michael, Andre', Karsten, and Jeremy. On his death in 1987, Jane McKinnon wrote this about Dr. Snyder:
"He taught both in scientific words and with dirt-stained hands. From his pencil on a notepad came scholarly publications; with sharp pruning shears he showed students how skills are perfected...He encouraged, challenged, forgave, and never reminded students of failures. He saw promise in the most unlikely freshmen, and freely complimented successful graduates. He always credited good work from colleagues and pupils as well. He forgot disagreements and had not time for grudge or malice. By his own industry he shamed sluggards. With his immaculate rows of vegetables and carefully tended rose beds, for anyone to enjoy on a moment's notice, he sent visitors home to try harder at gardening. By his example, he created visions of soft lawns, gracious trees, and bright flowers for those needing inspiration and encouragement."
Awards and recognition
- Gold Medal awarded by The Men's Garden Clubs of America
- Medal of Honor from the Garden Club of America
- Norman Jay Colman Award
- Liberty Hyde Bailey Award from the American Horticultural SocietyAmerican Horticultural SocietyThe American Horticultural Society is a nonprofit, membership-based organization that promotes excellence in American horticulture. It is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia....
- Garden Writer's Association Honorary Member
- Sigma XiSigma XiSigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society is a non-profit honor society which was founded in 1886 at Cornell University by a junior faculty member and a handful of graduate students. Members elect others on the basis of their research achievements or potential...
Works
- Gardening in the Upper Midwest (University of Minnesota Press, 1978)
- Trees and Shrubs for Northern Gardens (University of Minnesota Press, 1980)
- A Minnesota Gardener's Companion (co-authored, Minneapolis Tribune, 1981)
- How Does Your Garden Grow (WCCO Radio Publisher, 1982)
- Flowers for Northern Gardens (University of Minnesota Press, 1983)
- Native Plants for Northern Gardens (published posthumously Anderson Horticultural Library, 1991)