Years:
1930 – 2025
Year Hutchinson Medal awarded:
2013
Plant biologist, horticulturist, professor emeritus of plant biology and pathology at Rutgers University
Elwin R. Orton, Ph.D., was a prominent plant biologist and horticulturist known primarily for his work in plant breeding, especially with woody ornamentals such as Ilex (hollies) and Cornus (dogwoods). He studied at The Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a BS in horticulture, followed by an M.S. in horticulture at The Ohio State University. Dr. Orton's work left a lasting impact on horticulture, particularly in ornamental plant breeding and conservation.
Key Contributions:
- Dr. Orton’s most influential plant breeding achievements were primarily in the development and improvement of woody ornamental plants, especially dogwoods (Cornus) and hollies (Ilex).
- He developed new plant strains through breeding techniques and earned over 15 patents for new varieties of dogwoods and holly.
- He is also credited with helping to save the U.S. dogwood plant, having developed disease-resistant varieties.
Other Major Honors:
- New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame inductee
- Massachusetts Horticultural Society Honorary Medal
- Garden Club of America’s Distinguished Service Medal