In 1995 a plant award program to select and promote outstanding ornamental woody and perennial plants for Kentucky Landscapes was initiated. The plant awards are named to honor the late Theodore Klein, Yew Dell Nursery, Crestwood, KY (photo by Mike Hayman) and selected by The Kentucky Theodore Plant Award Committee, an independent committee, that is sponsored by: the University of Kentucky Nursery/Landscape Program, Yew Dell Gardens, the Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Association, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture "Kentucky Proud" program .

The goals of the Kentucky Theodore Klein Plant Award program are: to promote enthusiasm for and interest in plants among gardeners; to encourage development of new cultivars and hybrids by Kentucky Nurserymen; to increase the recognition, reputation, and profitability of the Kentucky nursery and landscape industries.

Plants are selected based on the following criteria. The plants nominated for consideration must be able to: be efficiently propagated and produced; be found established in Kentucky and at least two good examples of the plant be established within driving distance of a majority of the Kentucky population; and be pest resistant. Plants hybridized, selected, or introduced by Kentuckians will be given priority.

Plants are selected for promotion to the gardening public. The Kentucky Theodore Klein Plant Award winners are announced by Yew Dell Gardens, industry and gardening publications, popular press and HortMemo.

For more information about Theodore Klein visit:

• The Cultural Landscape Foundation  
• Yew Dell History 
• Klein Family History

Current members of the Theodore Klein Plant Award Selection Committee

Paul Cappiello, Yew Dell Gardens, Crestwood

Ben Cecil, Riverfarm Nursery, Goshen

Winston Dunwell, University of Kentucky, UKREC, Princeton

Steve Foltz, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanic Gardens, Ohio

Mike Hayman, Seneca Gardens, Plea For The Trees:Louisville

Tony Nold, Horticulture Design and Development/Plant Kingdom, Louisville (St. Matthews)

Kristopher Stone, Boone County Arboretum

Mary Vaananen, Jellito Seeds

Tracy Williams, Greensleeves, Landscape Designer

Richard Weber, Springhouse Gardens, Landscape Architect, Garden Center, The Barn

Founding members of the Theodore Klein Plant Award Selection Committee

Winston Dunwell, UKCAFE Dept of Horticulture

Richard Fiest, Hummingbird Nursery

Steve Foltz, Cincinnati Zoo

Mike Hayman, Louisville Courier Journal, Seneca Gardens

Buddy Hubbuch, retired Bernheim Arboretum Chief Horticulturist

Kathy Lowrey, TKPA Chairman, Lowrey Perennial Farm

Melvin Moffitt, Snow Hill Nursery

Tony Nold, Horticulture Design and Development

Dennis Raymond, Raymond Landscape Nursery

Casey Schott, KNLA President when the TKPA was founded, Leichhardt Landscape Company