The Santa Barbara Horticultural Society has awarded longtime society president and local geranium expert Debby Lipp with its Bouquet of the Year award.
Considered the highest honor awarded by the society, Ms. Lipp was recognized for excelling in the advancement and promotion of horticulture in the Santa Barbara area. Ms. Lipp was selected by a committee of past recipients and was recognized at the society’s annual awards and board installation meeting Jan. 8, said Randy Baldwin, spokesman for the society who also received the award in 1987.
“Your active involvement with the International Geranium Society as well as the Central Coast and Los Angeles Geranium Societies is commendable; your knowledge of these plants that you have shared locally is much appreciated,” reads the certificate presented to Ms. Lipp. “Your lifetime participation at farmers markets in Orcutt, Santa Maria, Lompoc and Santa Barbara has demonstrated your horticultural prowess and educated innumerable people about succulents, herbs and geraniums grown at your Plantsmith Nursery.”
The lSanta Barbara Horticultural Society is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year and is one of the longest running horticultural societies in the country, as well as the oldest nonprofit organization in California, having been established April 12, 1880.
