Location of Greg Speichert’s memorial service changed

Greg Speichert plants tomatoes and other vegetable seedlings at Hilltop Gardens and Nature Center. Photo courtesy Indiana University.

UPDATED Nov. 25, 2010 for change in memorial service location, correction of date of death, addition of surivivors.

Location of the service, 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010, has been changed to Cedar Hall Auditorium, Union Street Center, 445 N. Union St., Bloomington., Ind.

UPDATE Nov. 17, 2010 to add memorial service details.

Memorial services for Greg Speichert will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010 at Hilltop Gardens, 2367 East 10th St., Bloomington, Ind. 
Here are directions.

—————————–

Original post Nov. 13, 2010

Greg Speichert, one of Indiana’s best known plantsmen, died Nov. 4, 2010  near Philadelphia.

Known throughout the world as water garden plant specialist, the 48-year-old Speichert was director of Hilltop Gardens and Nature Center on the Indiana University campus in Bloomington.

Speichert, who had a degree in horticulture from Purdue University, introduced more than 400 varieties of hardy and tropical water plants and several variegated plants to the gardening industry. At one time, he maintained the largest collection of hardy water lilies in the United States, with more than 300 cultivars represented.

Speichert died while attending the Independent Plant Breeders Conference at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pa. Saying he did not feel well, he left the conference for his hotel, where he died a short while later.

He and his wife, Sue Speichert, co-authored the Encyclopedia of Water Garden Plants, published by Timber Press in 2004 and recipient of the 2004 American Horticultural Society Book Award. Their Timber Press Pocket Guide to Water Garden Plants was published in 2008.

Until moving to Bloomington three years ago, they owned and operated Crystal Palace Perennials in St. John Ind., which specialized in developing water garden plants for the wholesale trade. A founder of the American Water Garden Society and Water Gardening Magazine, he served as a director of the International Water Lilly and Gardening Society from 1997 to 2001

“Water gardening is for the gardening impaired. You cannot fail,” he used to say. He was a member of Garden Writers Association, Perennial Plant Association and many other professional organizations. He served on GWA’s local organizing committee for the Indianapolis 2011 symposium.

When he and I spoke last summer, Speichert was extremely enthusiastic about his job at Hilltop, a five-acre site known for its horticulture education programs for children and adults. He was passionate about the opportunities provided and had begun to develop plans to expand the center’s reach and reputation.

Known for his terrific smile, his willingness to share his knowledge of plants, and as an all-‘round nice guy, we will miss his spirit and joy.

Survivors include his wife, Susan, his sister Michelle Sanders, his niece Ariel and nephew Aaron Sanders, his father Carl and Carl’s wife Florence, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ray and Denise Morehouse, their children, Cheryl Casselman, Bret Morehouse and Kimberly Morehouse, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He is preceded in death by his mother, Dolores Speichert.

Solan Pruzin Funeral Home and Crematory of Schererville, Ind., is handling the arrangements , but no details are available at this time. Donations may be made to the Indiana University Foundation for the benefit of Hilltop Gardens, to either the Hilltop General Operating Fund or the Hilltop 21stCentury Endowment Fund.

Also, condolences can be posted online at www.gardeningwithgreg.com.