Lawrie Metcalf

Lawrence James Metcalf (1928–2017) was an internationally recognized New Zealand horticulturalist, botanist, conservationist and prolific author of gardening and plant identification books.[1] During a lengthy career, Metcalf popularized and advocated for the planting of native or indigenous plant species in both public and private gardens and pioneered their propagation techniques (horticulture).[2][3] In 1991 the British Royal Horticultural Society' recognized his work on the cultivation of New Zealand's native plants, by awarding Metcalf the Gold Veitch Memorial Medal.[4]

Lawrie Metcalf
Lawrie Metcalf
Born18 August 1928
Died18 August 2017 (aged 89)
OccupationHorticulturalist and botanist
NationalityNew Zealand
CitizenshipNew Zealand
GenreGardening and plant guides
SubjectNative and introduced plants in New Zealand. Hebes
Notable worksThe Cultivation of New Zealand Trees and Shrubs Hebes: A Guide to Species, Hybrids and Allied Genera
Notable awardsCompanion of the Queen's Service Order
RelativesDaughter: Victoria Metcalf

Metcalf was a global authority on the ''Hebe'' (plant) genus, which is indigenous to New Zealand.[5] Hebes are planted widely around the world in public gardens with temperate climates[6]

Up until the 1990s, most landscape and public garden plantings in urban and suburban areas around the world tended to be dominated by non-native or introduced species. Over the last century, some of these introduced plant species escaped from gardens to invade agricultural habitats and parks and protected areas.[7] Many ecosystems and habitats in New Zealand have been impacted by invasive plants such as gorse (Ulex). The management of Gorse in New Zealand costs millions of dollars annually.

The Lawrie Metcalf Herbarium in Christchurch Botanic Garden

As the Assistant Curator (later Assistant Director) of Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Lawrie Metcalf founded and expanded its International Seed Exchange programme.[8][9] Botanists and horticulturalists exchange seeds internationally for the purpose of preserving genetic diversity ex situ in a Seed bank, of which the best known is the Svalbard Global Seed Vault.

Griselinia littoralis label signed by Lawrie Metcalf in Christchurch Botanic Garden

After spending more than 20 years at Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Metcalf became the Director of Parks and Recreation at the Invercargill City Council until his retirement in 1992.[4] During his retirement Metcalf wrote many popular books on identifying New Zealand plants, and on native plant propagation and gardening, a number of which were revised and reprinted.[4][10][11]

Pressed Griselinia littoralis specimen collected by Lawrie Metcalf in Christchurch Botanic Garden Herbarium
Daughter, Victoria Metcalf and granddaughter, Briony, outside the Lawrie Metcalf Herbarium in 2018

In 2017, the Herbarium at Christchurch Botanic Gardens was named in his honour.[12] The Lawrie Metcalf herbarium contains many dried plant specimens collected by Metcalf during his time as Assistant Curator and Assistant Director.

Awards
  • 1957: The first recipient of the David Tannock Memorial Prize, awarded by the RNZIH[13] to “the candidate gaining the highest marks in the Oral and Practical Stage III examination for the National Diploma in Horticulture”.
  • 1958: National Diploma of Horticulture (NDH) from the RNZIH.
  • 1959: The RNZIH Cockayne Gold Medal for the most successful candidate to complete their NDH. This included his thesis on New Zealand alpine plants.
  • 1975: Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Park and Recreation Administration.
  • 1978: The Loder Cup, presented to “encourage and honour New Zealanders who work to investigate, promote, retain and cherish our indigenous flora”.
  • 1988: Award of Associate on Honour (AHRIH) of the RNZIH, an honour restricted to those who have “rendered distinguished service to horticulture in New Zealand”.[14]
  • 1988: Ian Galloway Outstanding Achievement Award, which “Recognizes outstanding contribution in the Parks, Amenity Horticulture and Open space”.
  • 1991: Gold Veitch Memorial Medal, to “persons of any nationality who have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement and improvement of the science and practice of horticulture”. Metcalf is one of a few New Zealanders to have received this prestigious medal, the highest honour that the Royal Horticultural Society awards to people outside the United Kingdom.
  • 1999: Honorary Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects, to “A person distinguished by scientific, artistic, literary or other eminent attainment whose activities promote or have promoted the aims and objectives of the Institute”. Metcalf was one of only six Honorary Fellows of the NZILA.
  • 2010: Appointed a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order (QSO) for services to horticulture and conservation.


Bibliography
  • Barnett, M. J., Gilpin, H. G. and Metcalf, L. J. Editors (1963) A Garden Century: the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, 1863–1963. Christchurch: Christchurch City Council.[16]
  • Metcalf, L. J. (1972) The Cultivation of New Zealand Trees and Shrubs. Wellington, New Zealand: A. H. & A. W. Reed.[17]
  • Metcalf, Lawrie (1993) The Cultivation of New Zealand Plants. Auckland, New Zealand: Godwit Press.[18]
  • Metcalf, Lawrie (1995) The Propagation of New Zealand Native Plants. Auckland, New Zealand: Godwit Press.[19]
  • Metcalf, Lawrie (1998) The Cultivation of New Zealand Native Grasses. Auckland, New Zealand: Godwit Press.[20]
  • Metcalf, Lawrie (2002) A Photographic Guide to Trees of New Zealand. Auckland, New Zealand: New Holland Publishers.[21]
  • Metcalf, Lawrie (2003) A Photographic Guide to Ferns of New Zealand. Auckland, New Zealand: New Holland Publishers.[22]
  • Metcalf, Lawrie (2006) Hebes: a guide to species, hybrids and allied genera. Portland, Oregon, USA: Timber Press.[5]
  • Metcalf, Lawrie (2006) Know Your New Zealand Trees. Auckland, New Zealand: New Holland Publishers.[23]
  • Metcalf, Lawrie (2006) A Photographic Guide to Alpine Plants of New Zealand. Auckland, New Zealand: New Holland Publishers.[24]
  • Metcalf, Lawrie (2007) The Propagation of New Zealand Native Plants (revised). New Zealand: Random House.[10]
  • Metcalf, Lawrie (2008) The Cultivation of New Zealand Native Grasses (revised). Auckland, New Zealand: Godwit Press.[11]
  • Metcalf, Lawrie (2009) Know Your New Zealand Native Plants. Auckland, New Zealand: New Holland Publishers.[25]
  • Metcalf, L. J. (2011) The Cultivation of New Zealand Trees and Shrubs (revised and updated edition). Wellington, Auckland, New Zealand: Raupo, Penguin Group.[4]
  • Metcalf, Lawrie and Edwards, Roy. (2014) New Zealand Native Ground Cover Plants: a practical guide for gardeners and landscapers. Christchurch: Canterbury University Press.[26]

References
  1. Dawson, Murray (December 2017). "Obituary – Lawrence James Metcalf QSO AHRIH (18 August 1928 – 18 August 2017)" (PDF). New Zealand Botanical Society Newsletter. 130: 16–20.
  2. "Life story: Horticulturalist Lawrie Metcalf popularised native plants". Stuff. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  3. "Life story: Remembering Lawrie Metcalf – Plantsman". Christchurch City Libraries. Retrieved 2019-10-29.
  4. Metcalf, L. J. (Lawrence James), 1928– (2011). The cultivation of New Zealand trees and shrubs (Rev. and updated ed.). Auckland, N.Z.: Raupo. ISBN 978-0-14-356561-1. OCLC 753700257.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. Metcalf, L. J. (Lawrence James), 1928- (2006). Hebes : a guide to species, hybrids, and allied genera. Portland, Or.: Timber Press. ISBN 978-0-88192-773-3. OCLC 62430764.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. Hebe (plant)
  7. Myers, Judith H., 1941– (2003). Ecology and control of introduced plants. Bazely, Dawn, 1960–. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-511-06531-0. OCLC 57172464.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. "Obituary- Lawrence James Metcalf QSO, AHRIH". Retrieved 2019-10-29.
  9. EPIC. "The International Plant Exchange Network". Botanic Gardens Conservation International. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
  10. Metcalf, L. J. (Lawrence James), 1928- (2007). The propagation of New Zealand native plants (Rev. ed.). Auckland, N.Z.: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-1-86962-131-5. OCLC 174092440.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. Metcalf, L. J. (Lawrence James), 1928– (2008). The cultivation of New Zealand native grasses (Rev. ed.). Auckland, N.Z.: Godwit. ISBN 978-1-86962-148-3. OCLC 229141267.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. "Naming Botanic Gardens Herbarium the Lawrie Metcalf Herbarium | Christchurch City Council Streaming". councillive.ccc.govt.nz. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  13. "RNZIH – Opportunities & Awards". www.rnzih.org.nz. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
  14. "RNZIH – AHRIH Award". www.rnzih.org.nz. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
  15. "Obituary- Lawrence James Metcalf QSO, AHRIH". Retrieved 2019-10-29.
  16. Morris, Matt (2006). A history of Christchurch home gardening from colonisation to the Queen's visit: gardening culture in a particular society and environment. PhD Dissertation. University of Canterbury. hdl:10092/936.
  17. Metcalf, L. J. (Lawrence James), 1928- (1972). The cultivation of New Zealand trees and shrubs. Wellington [N.Z.]: A. H. & A. W. Reed. ISBN 0-589-00631-2. OCLC 658447.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. Metcalf, L. J. (Lawrence James), 1928- (1993). The cultivation of New Zealand plants. Auckland, N.Z.: Godwit. ISBN 0-908877-23-4. OCLC 28439249.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  19. Metcalf, L. J. (Lawrence James), 1928- (1995). The propagation of New Zealand native plants. Auckland, N.Z.: Godwit. ISBN 0-908877-71-4. OCLC 34110077.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. Metcalf, L. J. (Lawrence James), 1928- (1998). The cultivation of New Zealand native grasses. Auckland, N.Z.: Godwit. ISBN 1-86962-023-2. OCLC 41712299.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. Metcalf, L. J. (Lawrence James), 1928- (2002). A photographic guide to trees of New Zealand. Auckland, N.Z.: New Holland. ISBN 1-877246-57-3. OCLC 49043671.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. Metcalf, L. J. (Lawrence James), 1928- (2003). A photographic guide to ferns of New Zealand. Auckland, N.Z.: New Holland. ISBN 1-877246-94-8. OCLC 53001284.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  23. Metcalf, L. J. (Lawrence James), 1928- (2006). Know your New Zealand-- trees. Auckland, N.Z.: New Holland. ISBN 978-1-86966-098-7. OCLC 144595167.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. Metcalf, L. J. (Lawrence James), 1928- (2006). A photographic guide to alpine plants of New Zealand. Auckland, N.Z.: New Holland. ISBN 978-1-86966-128-1. OCLC 166311371.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  25. Metcalf, L. J. (Lawrence James), 1928- (2009). Know your New Zealand-- native plants. Auckland, N.Z.: New Holland. ISBN 978-1-86966-205-9. OCLC 319210848.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  26. Metcalf, L. J. (Lawrence James), 1928– (March 2015). New Zealand native ground cover plants : a practical guide for gardeners and landscapers. Edwards, Roy, 1950–. Christchurch, New Zealand. ISBN 978-1-927145-61-6. OCLC 899248045.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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