As countless Americans begin tending to their gardens this spring, they can take inspiration from the country’s most influential gardeners and horticulturists who are making the world a greener place through plants. The American Horticultural Society (AHS) has named 12 of these individuals to receive its 2018 Great American Gardeners Awards, in recognition of their impactful contributions in the fields of plant research and teaching, landscape design, youth gardening, floral design, urban beautification, and more.

The American Horticultural Society is pleased to announce that William Cullina has been named the 2018 recipient of the Society’s Professional Award, given to a public garden administrator whose achievements during the course of his or her career have cultivated widespread interest in horticulture.

Cullina is the president of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, where he has led the development of a 10-year master plan to double the size of the gardens. Previously, he served as director of horticultural research at the New England Wild Flower Society in Massachusetts. He shares his extensive native plant knowledge through acclaimed books, scores of articles in popular periodicals, and nationwide lectures.

On Thursday, June 21, the AHS will honor Cullina and the other award recipients during the Great American Gardeners Awards Ceremony and Banquet, held at the Society’s River Farm headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.