About IPPS

Peter Catt (1936 – 2025) worked with plants from leaving school at 15, working market stalls with his father selling their produce and plants, to managing, then owning Liss Forest Plants in 1976. Here he specialised in propagation and meticulous production of often rare and unusual shrubs. He also took to breeding new cultivars such as Spiraea japonica ‘Golden Princess‘ (Lisp) and Choisya ternata ‘Sundance’ (Lich) launched onto the market in 1986. There followed other introductions including Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Hint of Gold’ (Lisaura) and Malva x clementii ‘Burgundy Wine’. He also went plant hunting around the world to the far east, USA and South America.

Peter was a great supporter and often host to visits by IPPS, awarded the Rose Bowl for promoting the interests of IPPS and professionalism of propagation and production in 2010. He had a distinguished role at the Royal Horticultural Society including being a judge at shows and chairing the Woody Plant committee. He was awarded the Veitch medal 1998 then the highest accolade of VMH (Victoria Medal of Honour) for his service to horticulture.

I first met him on a visit from horticultural college around 1980 and remember his infectious enthusiasm for plants and his willingness to share priceless knowledge. He later welcomed our local Southern Growers Group on an evening visit where he shared his latest breeding work. – Tim Lawrance-Owen

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Darrel Apps, a cherished member of the IPPS and a prestigious figure in the world of horticulture. Dr. Apps passed away on May 21, 2025.

Dr. Apps was a renowned Daylily hybridizer, he founded Woodside Nursery to patent and sell his unique Daylily cultivars. He proudly noted that these flowers helped pay for his daughters’ college educations.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Apps was a dedicated IPPS member and a regular participant in our International Tours. His enthusiasm, knowledge, and camaraderie enriched the experiences of all who had the pleasure of his company.

Dr. Apps’s legacy will continue to inspire and influence the horticultural community. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who were touched by his remarkable life.

We are saddened to share the news that Dr. John Wott, a life-time member, volunteer, and former staff member of the IPPS, passed away on August 28, 2021, at the age of 82.

Dr. Wott was the Eastern Region Secretary-Treasurer from 1971-77. In 1986 he began a 20-year tenure as International Secretary-Treasurer.

He was a member of both Eastern Region and Western Region through the years. As a volunteer, John served as International President in 1984. He was President of the IPPS Eastern Region in 1980-81.

Dr. Wott was a retired Professor Emeritus, Urban Horticulture at the University of Washington and former Washington Park Arboretum Director.

Dr. Kenneth W. Reisch, “Ken”, age 91, of Lewis Center, Ohio, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2021. Ken was the Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the IPPS Eastern Region from 1957-59.

Ken taught between 1952-1972 in the Horticultural & Agricultural Research Departments and served as Associate Dean for the College of Agriculture, Natural Resources & Home Economics at The Ohio State University for 15 years until he retired 1989. He was instrumental in steering the Chadwick Arboretum.

Ken’s wife Janice passed away on May 30, 2021. We are grateful for the leadership the Reisch family provided to the IPPS Eastern Region and express our condolences the Reisch family.

It is with sadness that we share the news of the passing of our dear IPPS friend and board member, Clive Mullet, on Tuesday afternoon, 30 March 2021, after a short battle with cancer.

Clive was a dedicated plant propagator and production manager for Nonke Plants, then Weltevrede Nursery. He was a board member for IPPS since 2005 and was passionately and enthusiastically dedicated to furthering IPPS. He served on the International Board for several years. Clive was instrumental in recent regional programs and will be greatly missed.

Nurseryman, Brother, Husband and Father, Joerg Leiss passed away on November 12, 2021 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.  Although the disease robbed him of his quick wit, he remained charming and loving to the end.  Joerg was a recipient of the IPPS ER Award of Merit and a fellow. 

Joerg was an avid horticulturist and worked in the horticulture industry until his late 80s.  He was hired by Sheridan Nurseries, where he worked until his retirement as a manager and chief propagator. We are grateful for Joerg’s contributions to IPPS and the horticulture industry.