FRANK SKINNER ARBORETUM TRAIL

“Dr. Frank Leith Skinner was one of Canada’s Most innovative horticulturists and plant propagators.  He resided in Dropmore, Manitoba, where his farm served as the natural laboratory for breeding new strains of plants capable of surviving the hash prairie climate.  Although he was isolated from other breeders, Dr. Skinner’s rugged independence, persistent efforts and patience made him a leading authority on plant hardiness.”

          – Manitoba Dept of Cultural Affairs and Historical Resources publication on Dr Skinner, 1981

Frank Skinner’s love of plants was a hobby when the First World War ended.  It became his lifelong quest to develop hardy plant material, which could survive over the prairie winters, in what is now known as climatic Zones 2 and 3.

In 1925, with encouragement from his colleagues, Skinner expanded his mixed farming operation to include a commercial nursery.  The nursery business became his primary focus until his death in in 1967.

The nursery created by Dr. Skinner is unique to Western Canada, as well as to Manitoba.  The plants and trees are a collection of material originating from central Europe, China, mid United States, native prairie and boreal plains, and those species developed by Skinner for the cold prairie region.

Dr. Skinner was celebrated for developing many species including a large variety of lilies and roses.  He was perhaps  most famous for his lilacs and honeysuckles.

Among the varieties of trees introduced from far off lands by Dr, Skinner was this majestic Siberian Larch, distinguished from others such as Tamarack by its large cones, with timber second only to Douglas Fir in quality and of great ornamental value.

Dr. Frank Skinner MBE, LLD, FRHS developed 144 new or improved varieties of landscape plants. Sometimes referred to as the “Luther Burbank of Canada”, his work was recognized and respected internationally. Along with other citations and honorary life memberships, his awards and honors included:

• Stevenson Memorial Gold Medal – 1932
• Cory Cup, best new plant shown to the Royal Horticultural Society – 1933
• Member of the British Empire (MBE) – 1943
• Honorary Doctorate of Law, University of Manitoba – 1947
• E.H. Wilson Memorial Award, North American Lily Society – 1965
• Order of the Buffalo Hunt – 1967
• Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame – 1972
• Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame – 1974
• Outstanding Individual Award, Canadian Society for Horticulture Science – 1994