Dr. Griffith Buck 1915-1991
Dr. Griffith Buck Joined the Department of Horticulture as instructor in 1949 after receiving his PHD from the department. With his primary interest in floriculture and plant breeding, he immediately continued the 60 years of rose work of his predecessors. The most prolific of the rose researches and breeders at ISU, he is credited with the development of over 90 rose varieties most of which exhibit disease resistance and winter hardiness to the Midwest climate. In addition to rose breeding he also developed many varieties of geranium and other flowering plants. For a more detailed information about Dr. Griffith Buck, read his biography.
Dr. Buck’s Rose Breeding Goals
Dr. Buck’s primary goal for his breeding work was to develop rose varieties that were winter hardy and disease resistant for Iowa. In addition he looked for repeat bloom, good flower form, color and aging quality as well. In the difficult pursuit of unusual colors in his breeding projects, he could often be heard to lament, “I can give you any color you want as long as it’s pink” - Dr. Griffith Buck. This made the development of the lavender blue rose Blue Skies, very gratifying. Dr. Buck did not concern himself with the development of show roses but concentrated on shrub types that could be used in the landscape.