Allan Armitage Perennial Guru

One of the Great things about going to the trade shows is the people
that you get to hang out with. Pictured here is Dr. Allan Armitage and
Doug Boyd of Bench Systems (they were college roommates).

Dr Armitage was my Perennial Guru. He is an absolute wealth of
information, and is constantly looking for and trialing new varieties.

A short excert from his Wikipedia bio says:
Allan M. Armitage is professor of horticulture at the University of
Georgia, Athens, where he teaches, conducts research, and runs the
University of Georgia Horticulture Gardens—producing annual guidelines
for annuals and perennials suitable for heat and humidity.

Allan travels widely as a lecturer and consultant and has received
numerous awards from nursery trade groups and horticultural
organizations, including the Medal of Honor from the Garden Club of
America. He was recognized as one of the best teachers in the nation
when he received the distinguished National Educator Award from the
American Horticultural Society.

The conversation was great, even though it was the end of a long day.
I should add that Doug's company produces all of the wooden benches
that we use here at the nursery.