R. Wayne Mezitt Honorary Medal

To permanently commemorate his incredible legacy, Massachusetts Horticultural Society has named an Honorary Medal in memory of Wayne Mezitt.

R. Wayne Mezitt Honorary Medal of Massachusetts Horticultural Society

Massachusetts Horticultural Society (MHS) Honorary Medals are the longest standing and considered the most prestigious medals or awards in American Horticulture. In large part because awardees are joining a pantheon of the truly great in our industry over the centuries.

MHS is honoring R. Wayne Mezitt as one of the horticultural greats of recent generations in a permanent way through a newly named medal, the first since 1927. He is a two-time Gold Medal recipient (personally and as the proprietor of Weston Nurseries), a tireless advocate for their importance, and instrumental in securing the success of Massachusetts Horticultural Society itself in his generation.

The citation reflects Wayne’s passion to recognize and encourage young leaders and reads: “This medal is awarded annually to a practical horticulturist of exceptional accomplishment and potential. The awardee will be at mid-career or earlier (under thirty-five in most cases) from any hands-on horticultural field or discipline and, unlike all other medals, will accept public nominations.”

The medal will be formally launched at the 2024 Honorary Medals Dinner, with the first award to be presented in 2026. The medal design will feature the P.J.M (‘Peter J. Mezitt’) Rhododendron and will come with an initial cash award annually of $4,000, supported by an endowment fund. The MHS Board of Trustees unanimously supports the medal, and the Mezitt family has given its wholehearted endorsement.

Identifying and supporting emerging leaders in our field is of the utmost importance in advancing the art, science, and vital necessity of horticulture. If you are interested in supporting this special endowment, you are warmly invited to be a part of this legacy fund. Please give through the form below.